Join for power
To check if we're able to supply your place, just enter your address here.
Just drop the team a line and we'll let you know what we can to do to get everything sorted.
Electric Kiwi requires all power customers to be a minimum of 18 years of age.
It takes a few minutes to join online for electricity. You'll need to provide us with a few basic details about your property, some personal info, and your preferred payment option. It's quick, easy and the power will stay on at all times. It takes anywhere from 1 to 10 business days to change away from an old power company. We'll let you know by email when the change is complete.
If you or someone you're living with is dependent on power for critical medical support (for example, for the use of medical equipment); and the loss of power could result in loss of life or serious harm it's important that you get in touch and let us know.
If you or someone you're living with needs power because of age, health, or disability and the loss of power is a threat to health or wellbeing; and/or it is genuinely difficult to pay power bills because of severe financial insecurity, then please get in touch and let us know.
Hour of Power/loadshifting
Electric Kiwi has a smart way to help you save even more money. We call it the Hour of Power. It's pretty simple, you choose 60 minutes of off-peak power that suits your lifestyle. All electricity used during that hour each day is free! So go ahead, put on the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher all at once - it's on the house.
That's right! All electricity used during your Hour of Power is 100% free.
You will receive a free Hour of Power every day for as long as you are an Electric Kiwi customer.
The more power usage that you shift into your Hour of Power, the more money you'll save! See below for easy examples of what to do to reduce your power costs:
Savings examples
4%
Do nothing different.
8%
Put the washing machine or dishwasher on during your free Hour of Power a few times a week.
10%
Run your washing machine and dishwasher during your free Hour of Power five times a week.
15%
Run your washing machine and dishwasher during your free Hour of Power five times a week, and take a shower during that hour.
Of course you can also save by shifting other power use into your free hour - cooking a roast, putting on your electric blanket, charging up your devices or whipping up a smoothie. Any power you use during that hour is completely free.
Savings examples
4%
Do nothing different.
8%
Put the washing machine or dishwasher on during your free Hour of Power a few times a week.
10%
Run your washing machine and dishwasher during your free Hour of Power five times a week.
15%
Run your washing machine and dishwasher during your free Hour of Power five times a week, and take a shower during that hour.
Of course you can also save by shifting other power use into your free hour - cooking a roast, putting on your electric blanket, charging up your devices or whipping up a smoothie. Any power you use during that hour is completely free.
The off-peak time slots are between 9am-5pm and 9pm-7am every day. You can update your Hour of Power at any time, and your free timeslot will remain the same until you decide to choose a new one. Any change before midnight will be active for that day.
Load shifting is our new secret weapon which can help both your wallet, and the planet.
By shifting your power usage to off-peak hours, you can reduce the strain on New Zealand's power grid by tapping into energy sources that are both cheaper, and likely cleaner.
Our load shifting page is a great place to find more details, plus some epic tips to help you save.
By shifting your power usage to off-peak hours, you can reduce the strain on New Zealand's power grid by tapping into energy sources that are both cheaper, and likely cleaner.
Our load shifting page is a great place to find more details, plus some epic tips to help you save.
Power Billing
Direct Debit
During the secure sign up process you can provide us with your nominated bank account details and we'll debit the amount of money owing from this account each fortnight, month or week depending on what you choose. As everything is done online no paper forms are required to set up the Direct Debit.
We'll email your bill at least two business days before the payment is due, and the amount will be based on your actual electricity usage. There are no additional charges to use Direct Debit; however your bank may charge you to set up a direct debit authorisation - check with your bank just to make sure.
Credit / Debit Card
During the secure sign up process, you'll be asked to provide your Credit/Debit Card number that will be used to automatically pay your invoice on your due date. As with the bank account option, everything is done online; no paper forms are needed. We'll email your bill at least two business days before the payment is due, and the amount will be based on your actual electricity usage. There's a 1.5% surcharge on each bill to use a Credit/Debit Card.
During the secure sign up process you can provide us with your nominated bank account details and we'll debit the amount of money owing from this account each fortnight, month or week depending on what you choose. As everything is done online no paper forms are required to set up the Direct Debit.
We'll email your bill at least two business days before the payment is due, and the amount will be based on your actual electricity usage. There are no additional charges to use Direct Debit; however your bank may charge you to set up a direct debit authorisation - check with your bank just to make sure.
Credit / Debit Card
During the secure sign up process, you'll be asked to provide your Credit/Debit Card number that will be used to automatically pay your invoice on your due date. As with the bank account option, everything is done online; no paper forms are needed. We'll email your bill at least two business days before the payment is due, and the amount will be based on your actual electricity usage. There's a 1.5% surcharge on each bill to use a Credit/Debit Card.
Yes, we do!
Choose when you pay
Electric Kiwi allow you to select when the money leaves your account, on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. You choose the billing frequency that best suits your lifestyle. We'll schedule to take your payment on the frequency and cycle you choose. For example, if you get paid fortnightly on Wednesday, you can choose your payments to be taken every fortnight on Thursdays when the money has cleared your account.
Stay Ahead
Turn Stay Ahead on and your account will top-up automatically when your balance reaches $0.00. You set the top-up amount at $50 or greater and we do the rest. Stay Ahead has the added benefit of zero fees (that's right - no surcharges!) across both direct debit and credit card payments.
Instant Payments and Balance Alerts.
You can also make instant payments to keep your account in credit, or set a balance alert and we'll notify you when your unbilled charges go over the amount you've set.
Choose when you pay
Electric Kiwi allow you to select when the money leaves your account, on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. You choose the billing frequency that best suits your lifestyle. We'll schedule to take your payment on the frequency and cycle you choose. For example, if you get paid fortnightly on Wednesday, you can choose your payments to be taken every fortnight on Thursdays when the money has cleared your account.
Stay Ahead
Turn Stay Ahead on and your account will top-up automatically when your balance reaches $0.00. You set the top-up amount at $50 or greater and we do the rest. Stay Ahead has the added benefit of zero fees (that's right - no surcharges!) across both direct debit and credit card payments.
Instant Payments and Balance Alerts.
You can also make instant payments to keep your account in credit, or set a balance alert and we'll notify you when your unbilled charges go over the amount you've set.
We'll email your first fortnightly bill two weeks after the date your switch to Electric Kiwi completed. If you would prefer to receive your bill each week or each month you can update your billing cycle at any time by simply logging into your online account or app.
To keep our prices low, bills can only be received via email to the email address specified for your account.
To keep our prices low, bills can only be received via email to the email address specified for your account.
Your bill will more than likely be higher because you have used more electricity. You are charged based on the amount of electricity used per month/fortnight/week depending on your billing cycle. In general, you will use more electricity in the winter months than summer, so your bill will be higher during these times. If you would like to understand your electricity usage more, log in to your Electric Kiwi account at any time to see your daily usage. If you're still unsure, just contact us.
No worries! Just log in to your Electric Kiwi account on the website or with our app to find your payments history. You can download any of your previous bills at any time. Otherwise just contact us and we'll help you out.
Electric Kiwi does not currently offer a smooth pay option, instead our customers have the choice to pay for their electricity on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.
At Electric Kiwi, we have a simple way for you to keep your balance positive.
The Stay Ahead payment option is available in the app or online account, simply activate Stay Ahead and set the top-up amount. You can turn off the Stay Ahead option whenever it suits you.
If you choose to turn Stay Ahead on, your account will top-up automatically when your balance reaches $0.00. You set the top-up amount at $50 or greater and we do the rest.
Stay Ahead has the added benefit of zero fees (that's right - no surcharges!) across both direct debit and credit card payments.
The Stay Ahead payment option is available in the app or online account, simply activate Stay Ahead and set the top-up amount. You can turn off the Stay Ahead option whenever it suits you.
If you choose to turn Stay Ahead on, your account will top-up automatically when your balance reaches $0.00. You set the top-up amount at $50 or greater and we do the rest.
Stay Ahead has the added benefit of zero fees (that's right - no surcharges!) across both direct debit and credit card payments.
Once you've received your final invoice we will automatically organise a refund of your credit balance to your card on file.
Smart Meter
Think of a smart meter as a virtual meter reader. It records the actual amount of electricity you use every half hour, and the data is sent to us once per day using similar technology to text messaging.
This data transmission occurs for a very short period of time (around 1 second) during the middle of the night and occurs at a very low wattage. This is much lower than the average household's use of cellphone or wifi networks.
This data transmission occurs for a very short period of time (around 1 second) during the middle of the night and occurs at a very low wattage. This is much lower than the average household's use of cellphone or wifi networks.
Electric Kiwi collects your daily electricity usage information straight from your smart meter, so most of the time we'll never need to estimate your electricity usage. This means your bill will always be accurate and you'll never pay for more than what you actually used.
On a rare occasion, there may be a communication failure between the smart meter at your property and the centralised location where we retrieve your usage data. In the unlikely event we can't retrieve the data by the time you are due to be invoiced, we will do our best in the background to get this resolved – and often will contact you directly to advise.
If, after multiple solutions have been attempted, we are still unable to resolve, we calculate an estimate using a method approved by the New Zealand Electricity Authority.
If you wish to find out more about estimates, please contact us.
On a rare occasion, there may be a communication failure between the smart meter at your property and the centralised location where we retrieve your usage data. In the unlikely event we can't retrieve the data by the time you are due to be invoiced, we will do our best in the background to get this resolved – and often will contact you directly to advise.
If, after multiple solutions have been attempted, we are still unable to resolve, we calculate an estimate using a method approved by the New Zealand Electricity Authority.
If you wish to find out more about estimates, please contact us.
We don't need access to your property to read your smart meter. Your actual usage will be sent to us each day electronically. This is through similar technology as your phone uses to send a text message.
The extra information provided by smart meters is required for us to accurately track your usage to give cheaper off-peak pricing. It also allows Electric Kiwi customers to choose 60 minutes of off-peak electricity to suit their lifestyle; they receive one Hour of Power free each and every day.
You'd need to have a smart meter installed to be with us, as it's needed to be able to get your half hourly usage electronically, give cheaper off-peak rates, and for you to be able to select the free hour of off-peak power each day.
Around 80% of Kiwi homes now have smart meters installed and they continue to be rolled out. Unfortunately we can't upgrade meters as these are owned separately by metering companies. It's up to these companies when an upgrade will take place but hopefully shouldn't be too far away!
It might pay to check in with your current power company and they should be able to give you an idea when you can expect your current meter to be replaced.
Once you do have one installed, be sure to get in touch to see what great rates we can offer.
Around 80% of Kiwi homes now have smart meters installed and they continue to be rolled out. Unfortunately we can't upgrade meters as these are owned separately by metering companies. It's up to these companies when an upgrade will take place but hopefully shouldn't be too far away!
It might pay to check in with your current power company and they should be able to give you an idea when you can expect your current meter to be replaced.
Once you do have one installed, be sure to get in touch to see what great rates we can offer.
The quickest way to find out whether you have a smart meter is to enter your address here. If you don't have a smart meter you'll see a message explaining you're unable to join Electric Kiwi until one is installed.
Power rates and pricing
The best way to find out power prices for your property is to enter your address.
We don't do complicated discounts or sneaky hidden costs. All pricing will be including GST as default, but you can switch to without GST for power rates for easy comparison with other companies.
Electric Kiwi provides the lowest cost electricity possible to our customers. Delivering electricity to a property incurs network, metering and regulatory charges plus the cost of the electricity itself. As an electricity retailer, Electric Kiwi pay all these costs on behalf of our customers.
The largest proportion of these costs are network charges. These are Government regulated and change each year on the 1st of April.
If Electric Kiwi adjust rates, we'll give existing customers plenty of notice and be clear about the reason for the change. Don't worry, sometimes a rate change may mean your rates go down. Electric Kiwi will pass any savings directly to you when we can!
The largest proportion of these costs are network charges. These are Government regulated and change each year on the 1st of April.
If Electric Kiwi adjust rates, we'll give existing customers plenty of notice and be clear about the reason for the change. Don't worry, sometimes a rate change may mean your rates go down. Electric Kiwi will pass any savings directly to you when we can!
Yes, if you are the account holder when the dividend or discount is calculated, you will continue to receive the annual payment or cheque for the following:
- If you're on the Alpine Energy network you can find more information on the Alpine Energy website
- If you're on the Counties Energy network you can find more information on the Counties Energy website
- If you're on the Electra network you can find more information on the Electra website
- If you're on the Electricity Ashburton network you can find more information on the EA Networks website
- If you're on the MainPower network you can find more information on the MainPower website
- If you're on the Marlborough Lines network you can find more information on the Marlborough Lines website
- If you're on the Network Tasman network you can find more information on the Network Tasman website
- If you're on the Network Waitaki network you can find more information on the Network Waitaki website
- If you're on the Northpower network you can find more information on the Northpower website
- If you're on the Top Energy network you can find more information on the Top Energy website
- If you're on the Unison network you can find more information on the Unison website
- If you're on the Vector network you can find more information on the Entrust dividend website
- If you're on the Waipa network you can find more information on the Waipa Networks website
Note: if you are on the Aurora, Eastland Network, Horizon, Nelson Electricity, Orion, PowerCo, or United Wellington Electricity networks they will not provide any dividends or discounts to Electric Kiwi customers.
Power rates and Pricing
No. When you sign up to Electric Kiwi, we search the Electricity Authority's nationwide database to determine what set up you have. You'll automatically be allocated the rates we have for your property.
Controlled supply means that there is a separate electricity supply to your hot water cylinder which your lines company can switch off for short periods during the day. The lines company passes on a reduction in your bill when you allow appliances to be switched off, regardless of whether the supply is ever turned off or not.
Controlled supply means that there is a separate electricity supply to your hot water cylinder which your lines company can switch off for short periods during the day. The lines company passes on a reduction in your bill when you allow appliances to be switched off, regardless of whether the supply is ever turned off or not.
We do! All of our plans offer time-of-use pricing, with cheaper rates during off-peak times.
These plans incentivise our customers to shift their load off-peak and save. Carbon emissions from electricity generation are generally higher during peak periods. So by moving power off-peak you're more likely to be using cleaner generation sources and can save money too!
These plans incentivise our customers to shift their load off-peak and save. Carbon emissions from electricity generation are generally higher during peak periods. So by moving power off-peak you're more likely to be using cleaner generation sources and can save money too!
We think “Prompt Payment Discount” is just a sneaky way of saying Late Payment Fee. In our view, these “discounts” are a trick used to confuse customers to make it sound like you're getting a deal when all you are doing is paying your bill when it's due.
When we compare our rates, we assume that you always paid on time and always got your discount. Rather than increasing our rates and then adding a discount to make the rate sound better, we build the discount into our rate and keep things simple by offering you low prices up front.
This means the price you see is the price you pay. As well as that, with our daily free hour of off-peak power our customers save, on average, a further 9.2% on their bills, with some saving more than 30%
When we compare our rates, we assume that you always paid on time and always got your discount. Rather than increasing our rates and then adding a discount to make the rate sound better, we build the discount into our rate and keep things simple by offering you low prices up front.
This means the price you see is the price you pay. As well as that, with our daily free hour of off-peak power our customers save, on average, a further 9.2% on their bills, with some saving more than 30%
If you check out our plans page, you can see all the great options we currently have on offer.
The best way to find out how much you can save with Electric Kiwi is to calculate your savings by entering details from a recent bill. Otherwise fire us through a bill with your current provider as an attachment on live chat and the team will do a comparison for you.
Consumer Powerswitch is a free and independent energy price comparison site. You can visit Powerswitch to check you're on the right plan for your needs.
Consumer Powerswitch is a free and independent energy price comparison site. You can visit Powerswitch to check you're on the right plan for your needs.
The Low User plan is generally the best option if you use less than 8,000 kWh per year. If you use more than 8,000 kWh per year (or more than 9,000 kWh in the lower South Island) then a Standard User plan will work out cheaper in the long run. But the choice is yours.
Many customers in the Mainpower network region, which covers North Canterbury from Kaiapoi to Kaikoura (including Rangiora and Hanmer Springs), receive a rebate for all usage. This rebate is automatically applied to your account via your usage charges. This means that customers in both the Mainpower network area and in the old Kaiapoi Electricity network area effectively pay the same overall rates for their usage.
We made the decision to change of all our power plans to what's often referred to as "time-of-use" pricing. This basically means different power prices at certain times of day, and cheaper prices at off-peak times.
A few minor tweaks to your power habits and shifting usage off-peak can result in cheaper bills. The more you move off-peak the more you can save!
A few minor tweaks to your power habits and shifting usage off-peak can result in cheaper bills. The more you move off-peak the more you can save!
Electricity Supply
Electric Kiwi's electricity is delivered to your home on the same electricity grid the big guys use and is generated by the same power stations. The reliability of your electricity supply doesn't change whether you are with Electric Kiwi or another retailer.
Sometimes due to either a planned or unplanned electricity outage, you may lose power at your property. Often these interruptions can be momentary, but they can be for a longer period of time, depending on what caused the outage. The lines companies work to fix these outages as soon as possible.
If your power is out, it's best to get in touch with your local lines company, whose contact details can be found here.
If for any reason the lines company aren't able to help and think the issue may be to do with your property rather than the lines, call our faults team on 0800 THE KIWI (843 5494) - select option zero.
When an outage happens, it can cause fluctuations in your electricity supply that may interfere with sensitive electronic equipment. Surge protectors and an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device can help protect your electronic equipment. As well as this, houses can be fitted with residual current devices and isolating transformers to minimise damage. During an outage, turn off your electronics to minimise the risk of damage once the power turns on. Insurance to cover you for loss or damage due to electricity supply interruptions or fluctuations is also a good idea, just in case.
If your power is out, it's best to get in touch with your local lines company, whose contact details can be found here.
If for any reason the lines company aren't able to help and think the issue may be to do with your property rather than the lines, call our faults team on 0800 THE KIWI (843 5494) - select option zero.
When an outage happens, it can cause fluctuations in your electricity supply that may interfere with sensitive electronic equipment. Surge protectors and an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device can help protect your electronic equipment. As well as this, houses can be fitted with residual current devices and isolating transformers to minimise damage. During an outage, turn off your electronics to minimise the risk of damage once the power turns on. Insurance to cover you for loss or damage due to electricity supply interruptions or fluctuations is also a good idea, just in case.
At this stage, Electric Kiwi can't install new smart meters or create a new connection through your local lines company. That means if you have recently built a home, or are conducting renovations that require a ‘new electricity connection’ you'll need to sign up with another power company first.
If you already have a smart meter installed and operating with another power company today, then you're good to go right now.
If in doubt, just drop us a line.
If you already have a smart meter installed and operating with another power company today, then you're good to go right now.
If in doubt, just drop us a line.
Green Intiatives
All Electric Kiwi plans offer a solar buyback rate. You'll get a 12.5c/kWh buyback rate on our MoveMaster plan or 8c/kWh on our other plans (excluding GST). This will automatically be added to your account if a solar register is connected at your property. Check out our solar page more info.
Our MoveMaster plan offers half price power overnight (11pm-7am) - perfect for EV owners to charge for less. We also have a partnership with Evnex to make EV home charging more accessible, and ChargeNet to link your ChargeNet and Electric Kiwi accounts to have all your charges on one simple Electric Kiwi bill. See our EV page for more details.
The Green Meter is our handy tool for exactly that - check out our info page for more details, and to give it a spin. It's also available directly in your EK app.
The Our Energy Future page has a few of the things we're doing to progress towards lowering carbon emissions, and our customers power bills. For a bit more of an in-depth view, have a gander at our sustainability doc.