Nova Energy is a privately-owned New Zealand electricity and gas retailer that has been operating since 1999. As an independent retailer (not a gentailer), Nova buys electricity from the wholesale market and competes primarily on price. They’re a strong alternative to the big gentailers for North Island households.
Type: Independent retailer
Gas supply: Yes (limited areas)
Plans: Variable and fixed-term options
Notable: Established NZ-owned independent, competitive in North Island
Nova Energy Plans (2026)
Standard Variable Plan
- Unit rate: approximately 30–36c/kWh (major urban areas, incl. GST)
- Daily charge: approximately 50–70c/day
- No lock-in contract; rates can change with advance notice
Fixed-Term Plans
- Rate locked for a fixed period (typically 12 months)
- Break fee applies if you leave early
Gas Supply
Nova Energy supplies piped natural gas in some North Island urban areas (Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, parts of Northland). If you have gas appliances, Nova can bundle gas and electricity.
Nova’s Strengths
1. Consistently competitive pricing Nova regularly appears in the competitive tier on Powerswitch comparisons, particularly for North Island addresses. As an independent retailer, they maintain sharp margins to win customers from the gentailers.
2. Long track record Nova has been operating since 1999 — unusually long for an independent NZ retailer. This gives confidence in their business stability compared to newer entrants.
3. NZ-owned private company Nova is privately owned in NZ, not listed on a stock exchange. Some customers prefer supporting a NZ-owned independent over the listed gentailers.
4. Gas supply option For homes with piped natural gas in the North Island, Nova’s gas supply option means one provider for both utilities.
5. No-frills approach works well for most households Nova doesn’t have flashy features like Hour of Power, but their straightforward competitive pricing is effective. If you want a simple, competitive plan, Nova delivers.
Nova’s Weaknesses
1. Less competitive in South Island Nova’s pricing tends to be more competitive in the North Island. In Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, gentailers or other independents often offer better rates.
2. No hour of power or spot pricing innovation Nova doesn’t offer innovative features like Electric Kiwi’s Hour of Power or Flick’s spot pricing. It’s a traditional flat-rate model.
3. No broadband bundling Unlike Electric Kiwi or Contact Energy, Nova doesn’t bundle broadband with electricity.
4. Smaller company means limited resources Nova’s customer service operation is smaller than the major gentailers. Most interactions are online, with limited phone support hours.
Who Is Nova Energy Best For?
- North Island households wanting a competitive independent retailer
- Homes with piped natural gas in Nova-serviced areas
- Households who want straightforward flat-rate pricing without needing to engage with spot markets or special features
Nova vs Frank Energy
Both are independent value retailers. Frank Energy is owned by Contact Energy (a gentailer), while Nova is fully independent:
| Feature | Nova Energy | Frank Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Gas supply | Yes (limited areas) | No |
| Ownership | NZ-owned independent | Contact Energy subsidiary |
| Price positioning | Competitive | Competitive |
| Fixed contracts | Yes | Primarily variable |
| Broadband | No | No |
For households with gas, Nova is the better choice. For pure electricity price comparison, check both on Powerswitch.
Verdict
Nova Energy is a reliable, independently-owned electricity retailer that consistently offers competitive pricing in North Island regions. Not the most innovative product, but a solid choice for households wanting straightforward value.
Rating: 3.5/5 — Good value for North Island households, especially those with gas connections.