Power bills: switching electricity company and saving money

Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko; Utilities Disputes; Work and IncomeVerified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

New Zealand has many electricity companies, and you can compare prices and switch at any time. The Electricity Authority runs a free comparison website called Billy. When you choose a new company, it arranges the switch for you, which takes 3–4 days on average. If you cannot pay your power bill, tell your electricity company straight away. A company must follow a set process before it can disconnect you. If you have a dispute with your electricity company, Utilities Disputes can help for free. People who get certain benefits or a pension also get a Winter Energy Payment automatically in winter.

Key facts

Official comparison website: Billy (billy.govt.nz): a free comparison website from the Electricity Authority. Upload your power bill or answer a few questions to compare.¹
How long switching takes: After you choose a company and plan, the new company arranges the switch for you. It takes 3–4 days on average.¹
Fixed-term contracts: If you switch during a fixed-term contract, you may have to pay a break fee. Check your contract terms first.¹
Written notice before disconnection: If a company decides to disconnect you, it must send two notices: the first at least 28 days after the bill was sent; the final notice at least 44 days after the bill was sent, and between 24 hours and 10 days before disconnection.²
When you cannot be disconnected: If someone in your home is a registered medically dependent consumer, or has applied to be registered, you cannot be disconnected even if you owe money. You cannot be disconnected while you are disputing your bill. You cannot be disconnected at times when it would be unsafe, such as at night or in bad weather.²
Utilities Disputes: Free and independent. Covers all electricity and gas companies. Phone 0800 22 33 40 (Monday to Thursday 8am–6pm, Friday 8am–5pm).³
When Utilities Disputes can formally step in: You must complain to your electricity company first. Usually, Utilities Disputes can only formally get involved if the problem is not resolved after 20 working days, or if the company clearly says it will not deal with it. You can phone them for advice before then.⁴
What Utilities Disputes can handle: The time limit for electricity and gas complaints is 6 years. Compensation is capped at NZ$50,000, or up to NZ$100,000 if the electricity company agrees.⁴
Electricity Authority (Consumer Care Obligations): If you think your electricity company is not following the Consumer Care Obligations, you can report it to the Electricity Authority: 0800 62 62 44 (Monday to Friday 9am–5pm).³
Winter Energy Payment period: Paid automatically from 1 May to 1 October each year. The 2026 payment ended on 1 October 2026.⁵
Winter Energy Payment amount: Single with no dependent children: NZ$20.46 a week. Couples, or people with dependent children: NZ$31.82 a week.⁵

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

All household electricity customers can compare prices and switch electricity company.
Customers who are struggling to pay their power bill or are worried about being disconnected.
Customers who have a dispute with an electricity or gas company.
Winter Energy Payment: people getting NZ Super, Veteran's Pension, Jobseeker Support (including Student Hardship), Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, Young Parent Payment, Youth Payment, Emergency Benefit or Emergency Maintenance Allowance.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Find your latest power bill
Check your current plan, the price per unit of electricity (kWh) and the daily fixed charge. Your bill also shows your home's ICP number.
Check your contract and meter
If you are on a fixed-term contract, switching early may cost a break fee. You can ask your current company if it can offer you a better price. Some time-of-use plans (for example, a 'free hour' or cheaper night rates) need a smart meter. If you don't have one, the electricity company may be able to install it, but it may charge for this.
Compare on Billy
Go to billy.govt.nz and upload your power bill, or answer a few questions about how you use electricity. You will see a comparison of different companies and plans.
Choose and switch
After you choose a company and plan on Billy, you can apply to switch directly. The new company arranges everything for you. It takes 3–4 days on average.
Can't pay your bill? Contact your electricity company now
Tell your electricity company you are having difficulty. The company must help you find a solution. For example, it can help you understand your usage, move you to a more suitable plan or payment method, offer a payment support plan, or refer you to financial or energy-saving support services if you agree.
Have a dispute? Complain first, then go to Utilities Disputes
Contact your electricity company first and say clearly that it is a 'complaint'. If you are not happy with the answer, or it is not resolved within 20 working days, call 0800 22 33 40 or complain online at udl.co.nz. Utilities Disputes will handle it for free.

What documents do I need?

Your latest power bill (showing your ICP number, plan and usage)
Your electricity contract or terms (to check for a break fee)
Records of your complaint: dates, who you spoke to, and emails or text messages

What should I watch out for?

If someone in your home needs electricity to avoid serious harm to their health (for example, medical equipment), tell your electricity company and apply to be registered as a medically dependent consumer.
If your electricity company disconnects you by mistake, it must reconnect you immediately. It must also reconnect you quickly once you have paid what you owe or met other reasonable conditions.
Utilities Disputes does not deal with complaints that prices are simply too high. But it will look at whether the company gave you the right information and charged you correctly.
The Electricity Authority does not resolve disputes and cannot claim compensation from the electricity company for you. For a personal dispute, go to Utilities Disputes. If a company breaks the Consumer Care Obligations, you can report it to the Electricity Authority.
You do not need to apply for the Winter Energy Payment. If you are eligible, it is paid automatically with your other payments. It is not taxed, it does not affect your other payments, and you cannot get it as a lump sum.
For couples on NZ Super or Veteran's Pension, the Winter Energy Payment of NZ$31.82 a week is paid to only one of you.
Going overseas in winter: the Winter Energy Payment can continue for up to 28 days. If you will be away for more than 28 days, tell Work and Income before you go. Otherwise you may be overpaid and have to pay it back.
If you rent, the tenant usually pays the power bill. Your landlord cannot cut off your electricity (except to avoid danger to people or to do repairs). See the Utilities and other payments page on Tenancy Services.

What has changed recently?

2026-10-30
New rules for power bills: from this date, power bills show information more clearly and consistently, with each charge explained in plain language, so it is easier to compare plans. Coming soonSource: ea.govt.nz ↗
2026-03-26
The Electricity Authority launched Billy (billy.govt.nz), a free official website for comparing and switching electricity plans.Source: ea.govt.nz ↗

Common questions

How do I switch electricity company in NZ? Is there an official comparison website?

Yes. The official comparison website is Billy (billy.govt.nz), a free service from the Electricity Authority. Upload your latest power bill, or answer a few questions about how you use electricity, to compare companies and plans. After you choose a company and plan on Billy, you can apply to switch directly.

How long does it take to change power company, and do I need to contact my old company?

Switching takes 3–4 days on average. Your new company arranges everything for you after you choose a company and plan. If you are on a fixed-term contract, check your contract terms first, because you may have to pay a break fee.

Do I have to pay a fee if I switch power company before my contract ends?

You may have to pay a break fee if you switch during a fixed-term contract. Check your contract terms before you switch. You can also ask your current company if it can offer you a better price.

Can my power company cut off my electricity if I can't pay the bill?

Yes, but only after a set process. It must send two notices: the first at least 28 days after the bill was sent, and the final notice at least 44 days after the bill was sent and between 24 hours and 10 days before disconnection. It cannot disconnect you while you are disputing your bill, or when it would be unsafe. Tell your company straight away. It must help you find a solution.

Can the power company disconnect us if someone at home needs medical equipment?

No, not if that person is a registered medically dependent consumer or has applied to be registered. This applies even if you owe money. Tell your electricity company and apply to be registered as a medically dependent consumer.

My power company is ignoring my complaint about my bill. Where can I complain?

You can go to Utilities Disputes. It is free and independent. Phone 0800 22 33 40 (Monday to Thursday 8am–6pm, Friday 8am–5pm) or complain online at udl.co.nz. Usually, it can formally get involved only if the problem is not resolved after 20 working days, or if the company clearly says it will not deal with it. You can phone for advice before then.

What is the Winter Energy Payment, how much is it per week and do I need to apply?

It is extra money paid from 1 May to 1 October each year to people on NZ Super, Veteran's Pension and certain benefits. It is NZ$20.46 a week if you are single with no dependent children. It is NZ$31.82 a week for couples or people with dependent children. You do not need to apply. If you are eligible, it is paid automatically with your other payments.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

Compare and switch to save $$Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko · ea.govt.nz
If you're finding it hard to pay your billElectricity Authority Te Mana Hiko · ea.govt.nz
If your power company doesn't meet its obligationsElectricity Authority Te Mana Hiko · ea.govt.nz
Can we look into your complaint?Utilities Disputes Te Kaiwhakatau Tautohe · udl.co.nz
Winter Energy PaymentWork and Income (MSD) · workandincome.govt.nz

Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Tell us →

Still have a question? Ask

The AI answers using this guide and official New Zealand government websites.

Buying a home: overseas buyer rules and first-home support

Before you buy a home in New Zealand, check your status. New Zealand citizens, and residents who are 'ordinarily resident', can buy without permission. If you hold a residence class visa but are not yet ordinarily resident, you must first get approval (consent) from Toitū Te Whenua LINZ, and you can buy only one home to live in. People on temporary visas, such as student, work or visitor visas, generally cannot buy. This guide also covers KiwiSaver first-home withdrawals, the bright-line rule when you sell, and LIM reports.

Healthy homes standards: minimum rules for rental homes

The healthy homes standards are the minimum rules for rental homes in New Zealand. They cover five areas: heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping. From 1 July 2025, all private rental homes must meet the standards, unless an exemption applies. The landlord is responsible for this. If your home does not meet the standards, talk to your landlord first. If that does not work, send a notice to remedy. As a last step, apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.

Rates and the rates rebate

Rates are a yearly charge that property owners pay to their local council. Your rates usually include city or district council rates and regional council rates. Some areas also charge water rates separately. If you rent, you do not pay rates; your landlord pays them. If you own and live in your home and have a low income, you can apply every year for a rates rebate. For 2026/27, the rebate is up to NZ$830. If you cannot afford your rates, you can also ask your council whether you can postpone paying them (postponement).

Rental bond: how much you pay, how to check it and how to get it back

When you rent a home in New Zealand, your landlord can ask for a bond (a security deposit). The bond can be no more than 4 weeks' rent. Your landlord cannot keep it. They must lodge it with Tenancy Services, a government service. When you move out, your landlord starts the refund online and you confirm it. If you cannot agree on the refund, you can try mediation or apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.

Renting rights: repairs, rent increases and notice to end a tenancy

If you rent a home in New Zealand, the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 sets the rules. Your landlord must give you written notice in advance before raising the rent, entering the home or ending the tenancy. Your landlord must also fix things that break. This page explains how often rent can go up and how much notice is needed, how much notice each side must give to end a tenancy, the rules for inspections and entry, and the basic rules on repairs and pets. For bond questions, see our 'Rental bond' guide.