- Electricity retailing is deregulated in New Zealand. Homes and most businesses can choose between three to six electricity retailers.
- A family can choose a company with the cheapest rates or uses renewable resources for generation.
- Five to eight pricing plans are available from each retailer.
- Power bills have two charges, the daily charge (NZD 0.60 to 1.00) and the usage charge (NZD 0.10 to 0.15).
- Switching from one retailer to another takes four to six weeks.
- Unlike the situation in the Greater Metropolitan Manila Area in the Philippines retailers here do not own the distribution network. A separate company like United Networks in Wellington are in-charge of the electricity distribution network from the substation to the to the house.
- Meters are read every other month and if the meters are not read the retailers estimate your usage. Another company reads the electricity meters.
- A home can have two meters, one for all appliances and the other for water heaters.
Some links:
Powerswitch (can be accessed alternatively by visiting Consumer.org.nz)
Meridian Energy
Genesis Energy
Contact Energy
