Electric Kiwi is one of New Zealand’s most popular independent electricity retailers. Founded in 2015, they’ve built a loyal customer base through competitive pricing and their distinctive “Hour of Power” feature — one free hour of electricity per day. They also offer broadband, making them a bundling option for households wanting to simplify bills.
Type: Independent retailer
Plans: Variable (no fixed-term contracts)
Key feature: Hour of Power — one free hour of electricity per day
Broadband: Yes — power + broadband bundle available
Best for: High-usage households, EV owners, families wanting value
How Hour of Power Works
Hour of Power is Electric Kiwi’s signature feature. Here’s how it works:
- You choose one hour per day from a set of available off-peak slots
- During your chosen hour, all electricity use is free
- Available slots are typically overnight and early morning (e.g., 9pm–midnight, midnight–7am) and sometimes during off-peak daytime periods
- You select and can change your hour through the Electric Kiwi app
- Weekends often have more available slots
Value of Hour of Power: The free hour covers all usage during that period. For a household that concentrates use during the free hour — running the dishwasher, washing machine, EV charger, or heat pump hot water — the savings add up:
- Modest use (1.5 kWh/free hour): saves ~$165/year at 30c/kWh
- Active use (3 kWh/free hour): saves ~$330/year
- Heavy use (5+ kWh/free hour including EV charging): saves $500+/year
Electric Kiwi Plans (2026)
Stay Ahead (Standard Variable)
Electric Kiwi’s main residential plan:
- Competitive unit rate (typically 30–36c/kWh for major urban areas, incl. GST)
- Daily charge: approximately 50–70c/day
- No fixed-term contract
- Hour of Power included
MoveMaster (EV Plan)
A time-of-use plan for EV owners:
- Discounted overnight rate (11pm–7am) for EV charging
- Competitive on-peak rate
- Requires smart meter
- Hour of Power also included
Broadband Bundle
Electric Kiwi offers fibre broadband alongside power. A combined power + broadband account saves a small amount on broadband vs. standalone pricing.
Electric Kiwi’s Strengths
1. Consistently competitive pricing Electric Kiwi regularly appears near the top of Powerswitch comparisons. Their margin model as an independent retailer (buying wholesale) allows them to price aggressively.
2. Hour of Power is genuinely valuable For households that actively use the free hour, the savings are real and significant. EV owners who charge overnight or households with dishwashers, washing machines, or heat pump hot water cylinders running overnight benefit the most.
3. No fixed-term contracts All standard Electric Kiwi plans are open-term. You can switch away at any time with no penalty. This flexibility is valuable, especially for renters.
4. Good app and digital tools Electric Kiwi’s app allows you to track usage, monitor your Hour of Power, and manage your account. The app interface is considered one of the better ones among NZ retailers.
5. Power + broadband bundle The ability to bundle power and broadband under one provider simplifies billing and may save $5–$15/month on broadband costs.
Electric Kiwi’s Weaknesses
1. Not always the cheapest after accounting for usage Hour of Power adds value only if you actively use it. For households that can’t shift their usage to the free hour (e.g., people who work irregular hours or have fixed usage patterns), the base unit rate determines value — and on that basis, competitors like Frank Energy may occasionally be cheaper.
2. Smaller company than the gentailers Electric Kiwi doesn’t generate its own electricity — it buys from the wholesale market. In theory, this means slightly less resilience during extreme price events, though in practice residential customers are unaffected.
3. Availability varies by region Electric Kiwi is available across most of NZ, but pricing competitiveness varies by region. Always check Powerswitch for your address.
Who Is Electric Kiwi Best For?
- Large families with high electricity usage who can concentrate dishwasher/washing machine/dryer use overnight
- EV owners who charge overnight
- Heat pump hot water households who can time their hot water cylinder to the free hour
- Households wanting a power + broadband bundle
- Value-focused households who want competitive pricing without spot price risk
Electric Kiwi vs Competitors
| Feature | Electric Kiwi | Flick | Meridian | Frank Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hour of Power | Yes | No | No | No |
| Spot pricing | No | Yes | No | No |
| Broadband bundle | Yes | No | No | No |
| Fixed contracts | No | No | Optional | No |
| Typical price rank | Competitive | Variable | Average | Competitive |
Verdict
Electric Kiwi is one of the best-value power companies for most NZ households. The Hour of Power feature is the standout — if you can use it strategically, the savings are real and add meaningfully to the competitive pricing. For EV owners and large families in particular, Electric Kiwi often wins on total cost.
Rating: 4.5/5 — Excellent value for households that can use Hour of Power. Strong all-rounder.