Compare Energy Tariffs in New Zealand

Compare the top energy tariffs providers in New Zealand — see cover, features and typical rates side by side.

Live offers

18 live offers compared from 14 providers, from NZ$0.24 /mo. Updated daily.

Electric Kiwi NZ Energy Tariffs Electric Kiwi NZ

NZ$0.24 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.24/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Free Hour of Power

Ecotricity NZ Energy Tariffs Ecotricity NZ

NZ$0.24 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.24/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Green variable
  • Key Feature: 100% renewable

Flick Electric NZ Energy Tariffs Flick Electric NZ

NZ$0.25 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.25/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Green variable
  • Key Feature: Spot price flexibility

Powershop NZ Energy Tariffs Powershop NZ

NZ$0.25 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.25/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Competitive local rates

Frank Energy NZ Energy Tariffs Frank Energy NZ

NZ$0.26 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.26/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Competitive local rates

Meridian Energy NZ Energy Tariffs Meridian Energy NZ

NZ$0.27 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.27/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Green variable
  • Key Feature: 100% renewable (NZ hydro)

Nova Energy NZ Energy Tariffs Nova Energy NZ

NZ$0.27 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.27/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Competitive local rates

Globug Energy NZ Energy Tariffs Globug Energy NZ

NZ$0.27 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.27/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Competitive local rates

Mercury Energy NZ Energy Tariffs Mercury Energy NZ

NZ$0.28 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.28/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Renewable focus

Trustpower NZ Energy Tariffs Trustpower NZ

NZ$0.28 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.28/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Competitive local rates

Pulse Energy NZ Energy Tariffs Pulse Energy NZ

NZ$0.28 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.28/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Competitive local rates

Contact Energy NZ Energy Tariffs Contact Energy NZ

NZ$0.29 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.29/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Competitive local rates

Genesis Energy NZ Energy Tariffs Genesis Energy NZ

NZ$0.30 /mo

  • Unit Rate (electricity): NZD 0.30/kWh
  • Standing Charge: NZD 1.60/day
  • Tariff Type: Standard variable
  • Key Feature: Gas + electricity bundle

Meridian Energy NZ Meridian Energy NZ

NZ$31 c/kWh

  • Unit Rate (electricity): ~31 c/kWh
  • Standing Charge: ~145 c/day
  • Tariff Type: Variable
  • Key Feature: 100% renewable electricity from NZ hydro and wind; smart monitoring app

Nova Energy NZ Nova Energy NZ

NZ$31 c/kWh

  • Unit Rate (electricity): ~31 c/kWh
  • Standing Charge: ~125 c/day
  • Tariff Type: Variable
  • Key Feature: Competitive pricing; SmartPay prompt payment discounts; electricity + gas

Electric Kiwi NZ Electric Kiwi

NZ$32 c/kWh

  • Unit Rate (electricity): ~32 c/kWh
  • Standing Charge: ~130 c/day
  • Tariff Type: Variable
  • Key Feature: Free 'Hour of Power' every day (1 free hour of electricity); low standing charge

Genesis Energy Standard NZ Genesis Energy NZ

NZ$33 c/kWh

  • Unit Rate (electricity): ~33 c/kWh
  • Standing Charge: ~155 c/day
  • Tariff Type: Variable
  • Key Feature: One of NZ's Big 5 retailers; bundled electricity + gas; EV plans available

Contact Energy NZ Contact Energy NZ

NZ$34 c/kWh

  • Unit Rate (electricity): ~34 c/kWh
  • Standing Charge: ~155 c/day
  • Tariff Type: Variable
  • Key Feature: Large retailer; geothermal + hydro generation; 24/7 customer support

What are energy tariffs in New Zealand?

An energy tariff is the pricing plan your retailer charges for electricity (and often piped gas) — the rate per kilowatt-hour you use plus a daily fixed charge for the connection. New Zealand has a competitive retail energy market where households can choose and switch between many electricity providers. With most of the country's electricity generated from renewable hydro, geothermal and wind, and prices varying by plan type, region and usage, picking the right tariff can meaningfully cut a household's power bill.

How the New Zealand market works

New Zealand's electricity sector separates generation, the national grid (Transpower), local lines companies and retail. The big "gentailers" — Contact, Genesis, Mercury and Meridian — both generate and sell power, while independents like Electric Kiwi, Flick Electric and Nova compete on price and innovative plans. Retailers offer fixed-rate plans, time-of-use tariffs (cheaper off-peak), and features like an hour of free power. Switching retailers is quick and free, and the Electricity Authority runs the market and the official comparison and switching support.

Benefits

Genuine competition — Many retailers compete for your business, so switching can lower your bill.

Plan variety — Fixed, spot-linked and time-of-use tariffs let you match pricing to your usage pattern.

Renewable supply — The bulk of New Zealand electricity is renewable, so most plans are low-carbon by default.

Perks and rewards — Some retailers offer free off-peak hours, prompt-payment discounts or dual-fuel savings.

How to choose

Start with your usage profile: heavy evening users benefit from an off-peak or free-hour plan, while steady users may prefer a simple low fixed rate. Compare the total of the per-unit rate and the daily fixed charge — a low unit rate with a high daily charge can cost more for a small household. Check whether the plan is a fixed-term contract with exit fees or open-term, and look for prompt-payment discounts and dual-fuel (power and gas) bundles. Use the Electricity Authority's official comparison tools with a recent bill in hand.

Leading providers in New Zealand

Contact, Genesis, Mercury and Meridian are the four large gentailers, offering broad plans, rewards and often dual-fuel or broadband bundles. Electric Kiwi is a popular independent known for its free "Hour of Power" off-peak deal. Flick Electric offers spot-price-linked plans for engaged users, Nova bundles electricity and gas, and Trustpower (now part of Mercury) historically bundled power with broadband. This mix of large and independent retailers keeps the market competitive across fixed, time-of-use and spot tariffs.

What it costs

Electricity pricing has two parts: a variable rate per kilowatt-hour, commonly in the region of NZ$0.24 to $0.34 per unit depending on region and plan, plus a daily fixed charge for the connection. A typical household's monthly bill depends on usage, season (winter heating pushes bills up) and region, since lines charges vary geographically. Off-peak and free-hour plans can cut costs for households that can shift usage. Prompt-payment discounts and dual-fuel bundles are the main levers beyond simply choosing a lower-priced retailer.

Protections and regulation

The retail electricity market is overseen by the Electricity Authority, which sets market rules and supports easy switching, while the Commerce Commission regulates the monopoly lines and grid businesses. Retailers must comply with the Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act and belong to Utilities Disputes, a free independent complaints scheme. There are also protections for vulnerable and medically dependent consumers around disconnection. The Gas Industry Company performs a similar oversight role for piped gas.

Common questions

How hard is it to switch retailers? — Very easy and free; switching is done by your new retailer and typically takes only days.

Is New Zealand electricity renewable? — The large majority of generation is renewable (hydro, geothermal and wind), so most plans are inherently low-carbon.

What is a time-of-use plan? — A tariff that charges less at off-peak times, rewarding households that can shift usage away from the evening peak.

The cheapest Energy Tariffs in New Zealand is NZ$0.24 /mo from Electric Kiwi NZ.

Energy Tariffs in New Zealand — FAQ

What is the cheapest energy tariff in New Zealand?

Giraffy tracks 5 energy tariffs across Electric Kiwi NZ,Ecotricity NZ,Flick Electric NZ,Powershop NZ,Frank Energy NZ suppliers in New Zealand. The lowest tracked tariff is NZ$0.24 /mo. Your actual bill depends on usage, property size, and tariff type — compare based on estimated annual cost for a typical household.

Should I fix my energy tariff or stay on a variable rate?

A fixed tariff locks your unit rate and standing charge for a set period (typically 12–24 months), protecting you from price rises. A variable tariff can go up or down with wholesale energy prices. Fixing is worth it when wholesale prices are expected to rise; staying variable is better when they're likely to fall.

What are unit rates and standing charges?

The unit rate is what you pay per kWh of electricity or gas you actually use. The standing charge is a daily fee you pay regardless of usage — it covers the cost of maintaining your connection. Both figures appear on your bill and should be compared when switching suppliers.

What is a smart meter and do I need one to switch?

A smart meter automatically sends your usage readings to your supplier, ending estimated bills. You don't need one to switch suppliers — your new supplier can read your old meter or you can submit manual readings. Smart meters are being rolled out across most markets; installation is free from your current supplier.

How easy is it to switch energy suppliers?

Switching is typically straightforward — you sign up with a new supplier and they handle the switch, including notifying your old supplier. In most markets, the switch takes 5–21 working days and requires no service interruption. Your direct debits, meter readings, and any exit fees need to be settled first.

What exit fees apply if I leave my current energy tariff early?

Fixed-term tariffs often charge an exit fee (typically £30–£150 per fuel) if you leave before the end date. Variable tariffs usually have no exit fees. Check your current contract before switching — if you have several months remaining and the exit fee is high, it may be cheaper to wait.