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How to pay your Contact Energy bill

Every way to settle your Contact Energy electricity invoice in New Zealand — online portal, mobile app, direct debit, SmoothPay-style instalments, phone payment, internet banking and in-store. Plus what the law says if your bill goes overdue.

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Overview

Settling your Contact Energy energy bill

When it comes to paying your power bill, the goal is simple: pick the method that fits your routine, avoid late fees, and keep your account in good standing. Contact Energy, like every licensed New Zealand electricity retailer, accepts a handful of standard payment channels — and offers more flexible arrangements if you need help spreading the cost.

The sections below summarise the principal payment avenues Contact makes available, the rules every retailer must follow if a bill goes unpaid, and the protections that NZ law gives you as a household customer.

Payment methods

How to pay your Contact Energy bill

Choose the method that fits your routine. Each option below is a standard channel offered by New Zealand electricity retailers.

Online account / web portal

Available

Sign in to the Contact customer portal with your email and password. Pay with debit or credit card, schedule a one-off payment, set up recurring direct debit and download past invoices in PDF.

Sign in to your account

Mobile app

Available

The Contact Energy app lets you pay with a saved card or bank account in two taps, view consumption alerts and receive push notifications when a new bill is issued.

Direct debit

Available

Authorise Contact Energy to pull each bill directly from your bank account on the due date. Most NZ retailers offer a small prompt-payment discount when you set up direct debit — typically around 1% to 2% of the invoice.

SmoothPay (regular payments)

Available

Contact Energy offers a SmoothPay plan: a fixed weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment that smooths winter peaks. See the detail box below for how it works and what to watch out for.

Internet banking / bank transfer

Available

Pay from your own bank's app using Contact Energy's bank account number printed on the bill. Always include your account number or invoice number as the payment reference so the payment is matched to your account.

Phone payment

Available

Call Contact Energy on 0800 224 424 (Mon–Fri 7am–6pm (general customer service)) and a customer-service agent will take a card payment over the phone or set up a payment plan for you.

0800 224 424

In-store and PostShop

Available

Some retailers accept over-the-counter cash or EFTPOS payments at NZ Post PostShops and selected retail partners. Bring your printed bill so the cashier can scan the barcode and match the payment.

Smart instalments

What is SmoothPay?

SmoothPay is a payment plan offered by Contact Energy that lets customers make fixed payments weekly, fortnightly or monthly. The idea is to smooth out your payments so you don't face very high bills in winter and very low ones in summer.

How does it work? Under SmoothPay, the retailer first estimates your total annual energy usage and calculates the corresponding cost. This amount is then divided according to your selected payment frequency. Every few months — typically four — the retailer reviews your actual usage and adjusts your payment up or down if needed. You still receive monthly bills, but the balance is managed through your fixed, regular payments.

Any risk? If the estimates are inaccurate, you could end up underpaying or overpaying, with the retailer potentially benefiting from held credit. Regularly monitoring your usage and review adjustments helps avoid paying more than necessary.

Your rights

Is your energy bill overdue? Here's what the law says

Every electricity provider in New Zealand must follow the Electricity Authority's Consumer Care Obligations. These rules set the minimum standards for how overdue bills are handled and they apply to every retailer, including Contact Energy.

Before disconnection

If you haven't paid your bill, Contact Energy must follow these steps:

  • The retailer must send reminders before disconnecting.
  • First warning: at least 28 days after the bill date.
  • Final notice: at least 44 days after the bill, served 24 hours to 10 days before disconnection.
  • No disconnection at night, before weekends or holidays, or during severe weather.

What this means for you: you have plenty of time to pay or arrange a plan. Disconnection cannot happen suddenly or at unsafe times.

Payment support and hardship

If you're struggling to pay your Contact Energy bill:

  • Retailers must offer payment plans or instalments.
  • SmoothPay-style options (weekly, fortnightly, monthly) are common.
  • If you receive a benefit, ask WINZ about the Winter Energy Payment to help cover winter bills.
  • Once agreed, a payment plan cannot be changed without your permission.

What this means for you: if you can't pay the full amount, you can negotiate a plan to spread the cost. You are in control of these arrangements, and the retailer cannot change them without your agreement.

Special protections

Two groups of customers are protected by extra rules:

  • If someone in your home is medically dependent, the retailer cannot disconnect your electricity once that person is registered.
  • Vulnerable customers get extra care and support.

What this means for you: if anyone in your home relies on electricity for health reasons, you are legally protected from disconnection. You may also receive extra flexibility if you're in a vulnerable situation.

What to do if things go wrong

If the retailer doesn't follow the rules, you have recourse:

  • If Contact Energy disconnects without following the rules, you can complain to Utilities Disputes Limited.
  • The service is free, independent and binding for retailers.

What this means for you: you have a formal avenue to challenge unfair disconnections or billing issues. Keep records of every notice and communication, it strengthens your case.

Fees

  • Disconnection, reconnection or admin fees are allowed but must be reasonable.
  • Retailers cannot bypass minimum legal protections.

What this means for you: you may be charged fees, but they must reflect real costs. You cannot be penalised with unfair or excessive charges.

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Common questions

Paying your Contact Energy bill — frequently asked questions

Most New Zealand electricity bills are issued monthly and are due roughly 14 to 20 days after the invoice date. The exact due date is printed on the top right of every Contact Energy invoice. Direct-debit customers have the amount pulled on the due date automatically.

Many NZ retailers offer a small discount (typically 1% to 2%) when you pay by the due date or set up direct debit. Check the fine print on your current plan or the offer card on the Contact plans page for the exact figure.

Under the Electricity Authority's Consumer Care Obligations, Contact Energy must contact you before any disconnection: a first reminder at least 28 days after the invoice and a final notice at least 44 days after it. Call the retailer as soon as you know you'll be late and ask for a payment plan or hardship arrangement before fees are added.

Only after the legally required notices have been served, and never at night, just before a weekend, on a public holiday or during severe weather. If somebody in the home is medically dependent on electricity and registered as such with the retailer, disconnection is not allowed.

Yes — retailers may charge a late-payment fee, a disconnection fee and a reconnection fee, but each charge must be reasonable and reflect actual cost. If you believe a fee is excessive you can complain to Utilities Disputes Limited, the free dispute-resolution service for the sector.