This guide compares all major NZ electricity retailers across pricing, plan types, standout features, and what types of households each suits best.
Important note: Electricity pricing in NZ varies by address — the rates below are indicative ranges for typical urban Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch areas. Use Powerswitch for personalised quotes at your address.
Best value: Electric Kiwi (Hour of Power + competitive rates)
Best for certainty: Meridian Energy fixed plan
Best spot pricing: Flick Electric
Best 100% renewable: Ecotricity
Best prepay: Globug
Best for EV: Mercury Energy or Electric Kiwi
Quick Comparison Table
| Retailer | Plan type | Est. unit rate | Daily charge | Contract | Notable feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Kiwi | Variable | 30–36c/kWh | 50–70c/day | None | Hour of Power (free 1hr/day) |
| Flick Electric | Spot price | Varies (avg ~30–35c) | 30–50c/day | None | Wholesale spot pricing |
| Meridian Energy | Fixed/Variable | 31–37c/kWh | 55–80c/day | Optional 12–24m | 100% renewable generation |
| Contact Energy | Fixed/Variable | 31–38c/kWh | 50–80c/day | Optional 12–24m | Gas + power bundles |
| Genesis Energy | Fixed/Variable | 32–38c/kWh | 55–80c/day | Optional 12m | Gas + power bundles |
| Mercury Energy | Fixed/Variable | 31–37c/kWh | 50–75c/day | Optional 12–24m | EV night rate plan |
| Nova Energy | Variable | 30–36c/kWh | 50–70c/day | None | Independent, competitive |
| Ecotricity | Fixed/Variable | 33–40c/kWh | 55–75c/day | Optional | 100% certified renewable |
| Globug | Prepay | 34–42c/kWh | 55–80c/day | None (prepay) | No credit check, real-time use |
Rates are indicative ranges for major urban areas and exclude specific regional line charges. Get personalised quotes at powerswitch.org.nz.
Detailed Comparison by Retailer
Electric Kiwi
Electric Kiwi is an independent retailer and one of the most consistently competitive for residential customers. Their defining feature is “Hour of Power” — you choose one free off-peak hour per day (from a set of available slots). For a household that uses this strategically (running the dishwasher, washing machine, or charging an EV during the free hour), the value is significant.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan types | Variable (no fixed-term) |
| Renewable energy | ~80–90% from NZ grid (not independently certified) |
| Broadband | Yes — power + broadband bundle available |
| Smart meter required | Recommended, not always required |
| Best for | High-usage families, EV owners, value seekers |
Flick Electric
Flick’s spot pricing model is unique in NZ. Rather than a fixed margin, they charge a flat subscription/levy and pass through the real-time wholesale price. This means electricity is often very cheap (overnight, periods of high renewable generation) and occasionally expensive (winter peak demand periods).
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan types | Spot price only |
| Smart meter required | Yes |
| Renewable energy | Depends on the current NZ generation mix |
| Best for | Flexible households, tech-savvy users |
| Avoid if | You can’t shift usage; you need predictable bills |
Meridian Energy
NZ’s largest gentailer, with 100% renewable generation (hydro and wind). Strong brand, wide range of plans, good customer service. Their pricing is competitive but rarely the absolute cheapest — you’re paying a small premium for the scale and reliability of a large retailer.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan types | Fixed 12/24m, variable, EV plans |
| Renewable energy | 100% renewable generation |
| Broadband | No |
| Best for | Households wanting renewable credentials + reliability |
Contact Energy
Second-largest gentailer, with a strong geothermal fleet (very low carbon). Good for customers wanting a major retailer with competitive pricing. Offers gas + power bundles for homes with gas connections.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan types | Fixed 12/24m, variable |
| Renewable energy | ~80–85% from their own generation |
| Broadband | Broadband available |
| Gas supply | Yes (Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga piped areas) |
| Best for | Gas homes, South Island customers |
Genesis Energy
NZ’s third-largest gentailer. Their generation mix includes fossil fuels (coal, gas peakers), which may matter for environmentally-conscious households. Strong customer base and good customer service for everyday issues.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan types | Fixed 12m, variable |
| Renewable energy | ~60–65% (includes fossil fuel peakers) |
| Gas supply | Yes — bundled power + gas discount available (Contact Energy also offers gas in some regions, so this isn’t unique to Genesis) |
| Best for | Gas households wanting a bundle |
Mercury Energy
Good mid-tier gentailer with a strong renewable fleet (hydro + geothermal). Their EV charging plan with discounted overnight rates is a standout for the growing number of EV owners.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan types | Fixed 12/24m, variable, EV night rate |
| Renewable energy | ~90%+ from their own generation |
| Best for | EV owners, Waikato/BOP households, small households |
Nova Energy
Energy retail brand established in 2012, owned by Todd Corporation (the private NZ conglomerate behind Todd Energy). Competitive pricing, especially in North Island urban areas. No-frills approach — good pricing without premium features.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan types | Variable and fixed options |
| Gas | Yes (limited areas) |
| Best for | North Island households wanting a simple, competitive plan |
Ecotricity
Premium green retailer. Pricing is competitive but typically 5–10% above the cheapest available. For households who want to be genuinely certain their retailer sources 100% renewable energy (not just purchasing renewable energy certificates after the fact), Ecotricity offers Toitū accreditation.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan types | Fixed and variable |
| Renewable energy | 100% Toitū certified renewable |
| Best for | Environmentally committed households |
Globug
Prepay electricity: load credit, use it down, no bills or contracts. Higher unit rates than post-paid plans, but accessible to anyone regardless of credit history. Good app with real-time usage monitoring.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan types | Prepay only |
| Contract | None |
| Best for | Renters, people managing cash flow, no-credit-check situations |