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Nova Energy kWh electricity rates and energy plans

Compare every Nova electricity plan currently on the market: tariff structure, contract length, exit fees, renewable share, solar buy-back and what each plan suits best. Data refreshed daily from the Selectra Energy-Core API.

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Nova Energy is one of the licensed electricity retailers operating in New Zealand, regulated by the Electricity Authority. On this page you will find every Nova plan currently published in our comparator, with the tariff structure, fees, conditions and target audience for each one. Use it to understand what Nova actually charges before you call them or sign up online.

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Nova plans in detail

Every Nova Energy plan, decoded card by card.

Contract length, exit fees, tariff structure, who each plan suits best — straight from Nova's published terms, with zero marketing spin.

Plans listed

4

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Covers

All NZ

North & South Island

Nova Energy logo
Nova domestic plan

Electricity

Contract length

no fixed term

Solar buy-back

10c per kWh

Bond / deposit

$150

How the tariff works

  • Tariff type: Variable residential plan with a fixed daily charge plus per‑kWh usage charges; open term (no fixed term or break fees). Charges reflect energy, network costs, and statutory levies/taxes.
  • How charges are calculated: A daily fixed charge applies for each day of supply, and variable electricity charges apply to each kWh consumed. Prices depend on your meter configuration (e.g., uncontrolled/controlled circuits) and your local network pricing category. This plan is designed as an all‑day rate (not a Time‑of‑Use plan) and has no free‑power periods.
  • Low User vs Standard User: Low User is generally best below 8,000 kWh/year (or 9,000 kWh/year in parts of the lower South Island); Standard User suits higher usage. Due to the Government’s Low Fixed Charge phase‑out, Nova adjusts Low User daily charges annually; from 1 April 2025 Nova set the Low User daily charge to $1.50/day (before GST and after any applicable discounts) and will continue to update in line with regulation.
  • Levies: The Electricity Authority levy is passed through on a per‑kWh basis and may change periodically; it appears on bills as a separate line item.
  • Per‑region pricing: Nova does not publish a public rate card; per‑kWh and daily charges are quoted by address. For Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Central North Island, Eastland, Taranaki, Whanganui, Wellington, Marlborough, Westland, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, please contact Nova directly to confirm the latest daily charge(s) and per‑kWh rate(s) for your specific meter and address.
  • Eligibility and availability: Residential supply only, available in selected regions. Pricing may differ if you have export (distributed generation) or Time‑of‑Use metering; Nova will confirm applicable pricing for your setup.

Who this plan suits best

This open‑term, variable‑rate electricity offer suits households that value flexibility and straightforward all‑day pricing without peak/off‑peak complexity—good for renters and small families who may move or whose usage varies season‑to‑season. Larger households and cost‑conscious users can benefit when bundling two or more services on Multisaver to access Nova’s lower electricity pricing. EV owners and solar users may also find it attractive given Nova’s optional home EV charging solutions and a published solar export buy‑back rate, enabling them to pair simple usage pricing with tailored add‑ons.

Additional services included

Optional add‑ons commonly paired with this electricity offer include: a residential solar export buy‑back service (Nova pays 10 cents per kWh for eligible exported generation; subject to meter/network approval and notice of changes), and home EV charging solutions such as the Wallbox Pulsar Max smart charger (advertised at $3,950 incl. GST installed; subject to site assessment and product terms). Nova also provides the free Nova Charge Hub app to monitor and control compatible EV charging, plus the Nova Hub account app/portal for billing, usage insights, and payments. You can also bundle other Nova services (natural gas, broadband, and mobile) under Multisaver to access discounted electricity pricing; Multisaver is optional, requires opt‑in, and the discount is embedded in plan prices rather than shown as a separate line. Smoothpay (equalised instalments across the year) is available to help manage electricity cashflow; standard fees and eligibility criteria may apply to specific services.

Plan conditions at a glance

  • Residential supply in selected regions; plan availability and rates depend on your meter setup and local network pricing category.
  • Open‑term plan: no fixed term and no break fees (Smart Bundle is a separate fixed‑term device bundle and has different conditions).
  • Pricing is not fixed; Nova may change prices with at least 30 days’ notice, with individual notification and reasons provided for material increases.
  • Plan ends if you move and cannot be transferred to a new property; re‑sign‑up may be required at your new address.
  • No prompt‑payment discount on current Electricity and Electricity Multisaver plans; a $25 late‑payment fee may apply to overdue balances.
  • Standard acceptance and credit criteria apply; standard fees and additional service charges may also apply.
  • Low User option is generally available only at your primary residence and is being phased out under Government regulation; Nova updates Low User daily charges annually in line with the phase‑out.
  • Distributed generation (solar export) and Time‑of‑Use or business sites may have different or ineligible pricing; Nova will confirm applicable terms for these configurations.
  • Multisaver discounts require two or more eligible services at the same address on the same account and an explicit opt‑in to Multisaver terms.

Promotions and discounts

Nova’s main active electricity discount is its Multisaver pricing, which gives lower electricity rates when you bundle two or more eligible services (electricity, natural gas, broadband, or mobile) at the same address on the same account. Multisaver is an opt‑in plan with its own special terms; the discount is built into the plan price rather than shown as a separate line item, and eligibility requires keeping the bundled services active. Smart Bundle (a 24‑month device bundle that pairs electricity with broadband and optionally natural gas) is also available, but it is a fixed‑term offer and is not eligible for Electricity or Broadband Multisaver discounts; Smart Bundle customers can still access Mobile Multisaver. Nova’s current residential Electricity and Electricity Multisaver plans do not offer a prompt‑payment discount; instead, standard credit criteria apply and a $25 late‑payment fee may apply if you miss the due date. No other ongoing free‑power hours or sign‑up electricity bill credits are advertised for this offer at present; availability remains region‑dependent and plan‑specific.

How Nova can change this plan's price

Pricing on Nova’s residential Electricity and Electricity Multisaver plans is not fixed and may change from time to time. Nova will give at least 30 days’ notice before changes take effect, and if a change is reasonably likely to increase the total invoiced energy rates (or any fee that materially affects you) by more than 5%, Nova will individually communicate the change in writing with an explanation. If prices change part‑way through a billing cycle, Nova apportions usage so the correct rate applies to each day within that bill period. Valid reasons for price changes include shifts in wholesale energy costs, adjustments by local lines companies to network charges, changes to government or regulatory costs (such as Electricity Authority levy updates), and mandated reforms like the Low Fixed Charge phase‑out that increases Low User daily charges annually through to 2027.

Nova Energy logo
Nova domestic plan

Multisaver

Contract length

no fixed term

Exit fees

no exit fees

Solar buy-back

10c per kWh

Bond / deposit

$150 bond (residential electricity) if requested

Who this plan suits best

Multisaver is suited to households that can bundle electricity with at least one other service (broadband, gas, or mobile) to unlock lower electricity pricing without committing to a fixed term. Small families and large households that value flexibility, one consolidated bill, and straightforward variable pricing—plus who already pay for Nova broadband, gas, or mobile—are likely to benefit most. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/multisaver/?utm_source=openai)) It can also suit EV owners or night‑owl users where Day/Night or Controlled tariffs are available, since meter/network configurations may allow lower night or controlled‑load rates; conversely, it is less ideal for customers seeking a guaranteed fixed unit price or time‑based “free power” promotions. Solar users may complement Multisaver with Nova’s optional 10c/kWh export buy‑back, but the value depends on export volumes and import rates at their address. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/help-advice/billing-and-payments/what-do-all-terms-my-bill-mean?utm_source=openai))

Additional services included

Optional add‑ons from Nova include EV and account tools and other bundled services. Nova sells and arranges installation of the Wallbox Pulsar Max smart EV charger (up to 22 kW) for a stated price of $3,950 including GST installed; this is optional and separate from electricity supply. The free Nova Charge Hub app lets customers control compatible EV chargers and monitor sessions; business users can subscribe to the Nova Charge Hub Business Portal for fleet/public charger management (paid subscription; price not published). Nova also operates the free Nova Hub app for account management. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/electricity/wallbox-ev-chargers/?utm_source=openai)) Bundle‑related offers that can be paired with electricity under Multisaver include discounts on other services (e.g., natural gas 10%, broadband $15/month, mobile $10/month/SIM), which help maintain eligibility for Multisaver electricity pricing. Specific broadband plan prices are published on Nova’s site and already show Multisaver discounts where applicable. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/multisaver/?utm_source=openai))

Plan conditions at a glance

  • To access Multisaver electricity pricing, you must bundle at least two different eligible services (electricity plus one of broadband, natural gas, or mobile) at the same address and on the same account, and opt in to the Multisaver Special Terms. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/multisaver/?utm_source=openai))
  • Multisaver electricity pricing is lower than Nova’s single‑service electricity pricing and is built into your plan rates; it does not appear as a separate discount line on bills. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/multisaver/?utm_source=openai))
  • Plans are open term with no break fees; existing customers can switch to Multisaver if they are not on a fixed‑term agreement. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/electricity/electricity-plans?utm_source=openai))
  • Services must be different (e.g., electricity + broadband); multiple SIMs count as one mobile service. Two electricity connections or services at different properties do not qualify. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/multisaver/?utm_source=openai))
  • Multisaver pricing is address‑specific; you’ll see exact rates during sign‑up after entering your address. If you stop bundling (dropping other services), affected plans revert to their applicable non‑Multisaver pricing. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/help-advice/moving/where-can-i-view-my-multisaver-plan-rates?utm_source=openai))

Promotions and discounts

Nova’s Multisaver gives residential customers lower electricity pricing when they bundle two or more eligible services (electricity plus one of natural gas, broadband, or mobile) at the same address and on the same account. The electricity component is advertised as “save up to 5%,” with the discount built into Multisaver electricity rates rather than shown as a separate line on bills. Multisaver plans are open term with no break fees, and are available to new and existing customers who opt in to the Multisaver Special Terms. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/multisaver/?utm_source=openai)) Eligibility and key terms include: services must be different (e.g., electricity + broadband; multiple SIMs still count as one mobile service), held at the same address and on the same account; existing customers can switch to Multisaver if they are not on a fixed-term plan; Multisaver pricing does not apply automatically—you must agree to the Special Terms. Discounts on other services under Multisaver (e.g., natural gas 10%, broadband $15/month, mobile $10/month/SIM) may help customers qualify for the bundle, but only the “up to 5%” reduction applies to electricity. The Multisaver electricity discount remains while eligibility is maintained; if you stop bundling, plans revert to single-service pricing. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/multisaver/?utm_source=openai))

How Nova can change this plan's price

Nova may amend electricity rates and fees from time to time, with changes taking effect no sooner than 30 days after notice is given. If any fee—or the total invoiced energy rates—are reasonably likely to increase by more than 5% and materially affect you, Nova will individually communicate this in writing at least 30 days before the change takes effect, with an explanation of the reasons. If a customer has chosen a flexible pricing plan whose charges vary by time and/or volume, those price movements can occur without separate notice. When prices change partway through a billing cycle, Nova apportions usage at the old and new rates. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/terms-and-conditions/residential-energy-general-terms?utm_source=openai)) Nova cites underlying cost drivers when prices are updated, including wholesale energy costs, third‑party transmission and distribution (lines) charges, metering charges, service/operating costs, and regulatory changes. For example, Nova announced electricity price changes effective 1 April 2025 and noted the Low Fixed Charge regulation changes for Low User plans. ([novaenergy.co.nz](https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/news/electricity-and-natural-gas-price-change-information?utm_source=openai))

Nova Energy logo
Nova domestic plan

Smart Bundle

Contract length

24 months

Exit fees

$300 early termination fee per service

Bond / deposit

Residential bond: $150 per service (electricity, gas, or broadband); $300 dual

How the tariff works

  • Tariff type: Fixed (pricing held for a 24‑month term, except for permitted adjustments). Electricity charges are a combination of a daily fixed charge and variable per‑kWh rate(s) based on your local network and metering setup (e.g., Anytime, Day/Night or Controlled).
  • How charges are calculated: a daily fixed charge applies for each day in the billing period, plus variable charge(s) for each kWh consumed. A separate Electricity Authority Levy line is also shown on bills.
  • Electricity Authority Levy: from 1 October 2025, Nova’s residential non‑Multisaver plans include an EA levy of 0.24 c/kWh (shown as a separate item on your bill).
  • Low User vs Standard User: if you are on a Low User pricing category, Nova aligned daily charges with the Government’s phase‑out settings from 1 April 2025 (e.g., daily charge of $1.50/day after any applicable discounts and before GST). Your applicable category depends on your location and usage.
  • Early termination: a fee of $300 per service applies if you end the plan within the term. The plan cannot be transferred to a different property.
  • Regional pricing: exact daily charges and per‑kWh rates vary by network region and metering. For current Smart Bundle electricity rates in Northland, please contact the provider directly.
  • Regional pricing: for Auckland, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Waikato, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Bay of Plenty, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Central North Island, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Eastland, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Taranaki, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Whanganui, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Wellington, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Marlborough, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Westland, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Canterbury, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Otago, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Regional pricing: for Southland, please contact the provider directly for the current price per kWh and daily charge.
  • Eligibility: residential customers only, with electricity and broadband at the same address. Smart meter and network/metering configuration determine whether Anytime, Day/Night or Controlled rates apply.

Who this plan suits best

Smart Bundle suits households that want stable, fixed‑term electricity pricing bundled with unlimited fibre broadband, plus a free device upfront. It fits small families and larger households that expect to stay at the same address for the next two years and value predictable rates and a simplified, single‑provider setup. It is less suited to renters or anyone likely to move within 24 months (the plan can’t be transferred and early termination fees apply). The plan doesn’t include special EV off‑peak tariffs or free‑period power; EV owners and time‑shifting users can still benefit if their meter supports Day/Night or Controlled rates. Solar customers remain eligible for Nova’s export buy‑back, so the plan can work for homes with rooftop PV that want bundled broadband and device incentives.

Additional services included

Included with Smart Bundle: unlimited fibre broadband on an open‑term broadband component within the 24‑month bundle and Powerful WiFi (hardware supplied; a $15 modem/router delivery fee applies). The free device (43" LG TV or Samsung Galaxy A36) is included once the first invoice is paid; delivery is by courier. Optional extras available to Smart Bundle customers: (1) Device upgrade to a 55" LG TV or Samsung Galaxy S23 FE for a one‑off $499, charged to your Nova account. (2) Mobile service on Nova’s Mobile Multisaver (Smart Bundle customers are eligible): for example, an endless data plan with 5GB max‑speed data is available at a discounted price per month when bundled with another eligible service. (3) SmoothPay (bill‑smoothing) is available to spread payments evenly across the year. (4) Solar buy‑back for homes with approved import/export meters: Nova pays 10 cents per kWh (plus GST if GST‑registered) for exported electricity; eligibility and metering requirements apply. If you require EV charging hardware or other equipment, Nova offers EV charger options separately; these are not included in Smart Bundle and pricing depends on the chosen solution.

Plan conditions at a glance

  • New residential customers must bundle electricity and broadband at the same address on a 24‑month term; if Nova supplies natural gas at that address, it must also be bundled.
  • Choose one included device (43" LG smart TV or Samsung Galaxy A36 smartphone); device is dispatched after payment of the first invoice. Optional upgrade to a 55" TV or Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is available for an extra charge.
  • Early termination fee of $300 per service (electricity and broadband) applies if the plan ends within the term for any reason, including moving address; the plan cannot be transferred to a different property.
  • Pricing remains the same during the term except for permitted adjustments (e.g., changes to taxes/levies/regulatory settings, or corrections if metering/price‑category information was incorrect).
  • Smart Bundle customers are eligible for the Mobile Multisaver, but not eligible for Electricity, Natural Gas, or Broadband Multisaver pricing.
  • Powerful WiFi is included on a fibre connection; a $15 modem/router delivery fee applies. Standard acceptance and credit criteria, Fair Use, and Privacy Policies apply.
  • Regional availability, metering setup, and local network categories determine your exact daily and per‑kWh charges and whether Anytime, Day/Night or Controlled rates apply.
  • Product models and availability may change; if a chosen device becomes unavailable before delivery, Nova will offer a comparable alternative or allow cancellation without an early termination fee.

Promotions and discounts

Smart Bundle is a 24‑month bundle for new residential customers who join Nova with electricity and broadband at the same address (and, if Nova supplies natural gas at that address, gas must also be bundled). The promotion includes a free device: either a 43" LG smart TV or a Samsung Galaxy A36 smartphone. Delivery of the chosen device occurs after payment of the first invoice on the plan. Customers may optionally upgrade to a 55" LG TV or a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE for an additional charge. Key terms that affect the promotional value: a $300 early termination fee applies per service (electricity and broadband) if the plan ends for any reason within the term (including moving house), and the plan cannot be transferred to a different property. Smart Bundle customers are not eligible for Nova’s Electricity, Natural Gas, or Broadband Multisaver discounts, but they are eligible for the Mobile Multisaver. Pricing for energy and broadband remains the same during the term except for permitted adjustments (e.g., taxes or levies).

How Nova can change this plan's price

During the 24‑month Smart Bundle term, electricity and broadband pricing remains the same except where Nova is permitted to adjust prices due to changes in taxes and levies (e.g., Electricity Authority levy), emissions trading costs or other regulatory changes, or where information used to set pricing is discovered to be incorrect or needs amendment (for example, a change in price category or metering setup). At the end of the term, Nova may move you to the pricing then applicable to your region and metering, with advance notice. Outside these specific exceptions, Nova’s residential energy terms require at least 30 days’ notice before price increases take effect, with individual written notice and reasons provided if an increase is reasonably likely to exceed 5% and materially affect your bill. If pricing components change mid‑billing‑cycle, Nova apportions usage across the relevant days at the applicable rates.

Nova Energy logo
Nova business plan

Fixed Energy

Contract length

fixed until 31 March 2027

Exit fees

$500 (incl. GST) per ICP

How the tariff works

  • Tariff type: Fixed (commercial). The Nova Energy components of the Daily Charge and Variable Charge(s) are fixed until 31 March 2027; third‑party pass‑throughs (network, transmission, metering, taxes/levies) may vary during the term.
  • How charges are calculated: a fixed Daily Charge plus per‑kWh Variable Charge(s). Pricing is quoted per business site based on network area and meter configuration. No free periods or time‑of‑use pricing apply on this plan, and it is not available for TOU‑metered sites.
  • Price per kWh: Nova does not publish standard kWh rates for this plan; rates are site‑specific and provided in your quote. If you need a confirmed rate for your location, contact Nova directly.
  • Eligibility highlights: business customers only; selected regions; excludes residential, TOU sites, unmetered sites, and sites with distributed generation export pricing.

Who this plan suits best

Fixed Energy suits businesses that want budget certainty through a fixed‑energy component over a multi‑year horizon, and whose sites are on standard (non‑TOU) metering. It can be a good fit for small businesses and larger multi‑site organisations that prefer predictable energy charges and are comfortable with network/tax pass‑through adjustments. It is not designed for residential customers or for businesses on time‑of‑use metering, unmetered sites, or sites exporting distributed generation (solar export pricing is excluded from this plan). EV‑charging operators and solar users can still source electricity from Nova, but may be better served by metering or pricing structures tailored to high off‑peak loads or export arrangements rather than this plan.

Plan conditions at a glance

  • Business plan only; available in selected regions and subject to acceptance and credit criteria.
  • Nova components of Daily Charge and Variable Charge(s) fixed until 31 March 2027; third‑party/network/tax/levy changes may be passed through.
  • Not available for residential customers, Time‑of‑Use (TOU) electricity sites, unmetered sites, or sites with distributed generation (solar export) pricing.
  • No prompt payment discount applies; a late payment fee may be charged if bills are unpaid by the due date.
  • Early termination fee of $500 (incl. GST) applies per ICP if the plan ends before the term; fee is waived if you switch within 30 days after notice of a pricing change due to site/metering information corrections or after material changes to Nova’s general terms.
  • The plan cannot be transferred to another property or company; moving, selling, closing the business, or disconnecting supply during the term triggers the early termination fee.
  • At term end, Nova will move you to new pricing for your area and metering setup and will notify you of the new pricing.
  • Nova may change or withdraw the plan at any time; standard fees and additional service charges apply per Nova’s schedule.

Promotions and discounts

Fixed Energy is a business electricity plan. Nova states there is no prompt payment discount on this plan, and a late payment fee may be charged if bills are not paid on time. No welcome credits or time-limited promotional bill credits are advertised for Fixed Energy, and availability is limited to selected regions and eligible (non‑TOU) business sites. Nova separately markets Multisaver Combos that provide discounted pricing when a business bundles another eligible service (e.g., broadband or mobile) at the same site. These are not described as intrinsic to Fixed Energy; eligibility and whether a Multisaver discount can be combined with Fixed Energy must be confirmed directly with Nova for your site and meter setup. As of 3 November 2025, no other active discounts or promotions specifically tied to Fixed Energy are publicly advertised. Businesses considering this plan should verify any site‑specific pricing or bundling options during quoting.

How Nova can change this plan's price

Under Fixed Energy, the Nova components of your Daily Charge and Variable Charge(s) are fixed until 31 March 2027. However, pricing may still be adjusted during the term for specific reasons: changes in third‑party costs (network company, transmission, and metering charges), changes in taxes and levies (including GST, Electricity Authority Levy, and ETS), regulatory or governmental changes, or if the site, metering setup, capacity, or pricing category information used to set your pricing was incorrect or later changes. For commercial customers, Nova’s general terms state price increases require at least 30 days’ notice, with individual notice provided as soon as possible where an increase exceeds 5% and is reasonably likely to materially affect the total bill. No advance notice is required for price decreases or updates to Nova’s standard fee schedule. If Nova changes your Fixed Energy pricing because the underlying site or metering information was incorrect/changed, or if Nova makes material changes to its general terms, you may switch away within 30 days of receiving notice without incurring the plan’s early termination fee.

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Frequently asked questions

The Selectra expert answers your questions about electricity rates

  • Fixed rate: your unit price stays the same for the duration of the contract.
  • Variable rate: the retailer can adjust the unit rate at any time, with at least 30 days' notice. Prices broadly follow wholesale electricity costs.
  • Time-of-use: the unit price changes by period of the day — cheaper overnight and during off-peak hours, more expensive at peak times (typically 7-9am and 5-9pm).
  • Spot pricing: the unit price tracks the half-hourly wholesale market. Households with flexible usage can save when prices are low, but they are exposed to spikes during cold snaps or supply shortages.

The daily fixed charge covers the cost of staying connected to the grid: network maintenance, the lines from the street to your meter and the metering equipment itself. It is billed for every day you hold an active connection, regardless of how many kWh you use.

Households using less than 8,000 kWh per year (9,000 kWh in the lower South Island) may qualify for a low-fixed-charge tariff: a smaller daily fee paired with a slightly higher unit rate. This option is being phased out by April 2027, but it is still available today and is usually a good fit for small homes and singles.

Each part of New Zealand is served by its own local lines company (Vector in Auckland, Wellington Electricity, Powerco, Aurora, Orion and more). Each lines company sets its own delivery charges based on the cost of maintaining its network — and those costs vary widely:

  • Rural and low-density networks (East Coast, West Coast, parts of Otago) cost more per customer to maintain than dense urban ones.
  • Networks with significant underground cabling (central Auckland, Wellington CBD) are more expensive to upgrade but suffer fewer storm outages.
  • South Island networks pass through hydro-rich generation regions, which can lower the wholesale component on some plans.

For these reasons, a customer in Dunedin can pay a different rate from a customer in Hamilton on the same Nova Energy plan.

Comparing electricity plans is not just about the headline rate. Before signing, check:

  • Unit rate (¢ / kWh): what you pay for each unit of electricity. Lower is better.
  • Daily charge (¢ / day): a fixed cost added every day, regardless of usage.
  • Discounts: prompt-payment, direct-debit and online-billing discounts can knock 1-3% off the total.
  • Contract term and exit fees: open-term plans are usually free to leave. Fixed-term plans may charge a break fee.
  • Plan extras: free-power hours, EV night rates, solar buy-back, broadband bundle discounts.

Always cross-check your offer against several retailers using your real ICP and a 12-month consumption history before signing — the headline rate alone never tells the full story.

Under the standard terms used by most New Zealand retailers, variable rates and daily charges can be adjusted at any time, with at least 30 days' written notice to the customer. Notice is usually sent by email, on the bill, or via the customer portal. This 30-day minimum is industry practice rather than a hard statutory rule, so always check the price-change clause printed on the plan terms.

Fixed-term plans are different: the unit rate and daily charge are locked in for the duration of the contract (typically 12, 24 or 36 months). If you do not switch or renegotiate at the end of the term, you are usually moved onto the retailer's standard variable rate.