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Powershop kWh electricity rates and energy plans

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

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Powershop plans in detail

Every Powershop plan, decoded card by card.

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

Plans listed

5

live offers

Independent

100%

no paid ranking

Covers

All NZ

North & South Island

Powershop logo
Powershop domestic plan

All Inclusive

Contract length

no fixed term

Exit fees

no exit fees

Solar buy-back

13c per kWh

How the tariff works

  • Tariff type: Powershop’s residential pricing is generally Variable (seasonal) with an optional Time‑of‑Use configuration called Get Shifty (available in many networks for customers with an eligible smart meter). Variable pricing lowers per‑kWh rates in spring/summer and raises them in autumn/winter. Get Shifty introduces different per‑kWh rates by time period (peak/off‑peak, some areas also have night, weekend or super‑off‑peak rates).
  • How charges are calculated: You pay a daily fixed charge plus per‑kWh usage charges. “Special Rates” apply when you use the Shop to buy the monthly Staying Power pack and all limited‑time Special packs released in your billing period; otherwise you pay the Standard Rate. Low‑User and Standard‑User fixed‑charge options are available (Low‑User generally for main homes using <8,000 kWh/yr, or <9,000 kWh/yr in parts of the lower South Island). Rates include GST and levies.
  • Peak/off‑peak timing: Peak periods are typically weekday daytime/evening blocks (often around 7–11 a.m. and 5–9 p.m.), with off‑peak outside those windows. Many areas offer cheaper night and/or all‑weekend off‑peak. Exact times and eligibility vary by network and meter configuration.
  • Northland (Northpower): Daily charge (Low‑User) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time (Uncontrolled) est. annual avg 31.74 c/kWh. Get Shifty Off‑Peak 34.32 c/kWh, Peak 37.84 c/kWh, Night 22.94 c/kWh.
  • Auckland (Vector, Central & South): Daily charge (Low‑User) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time (Uncontrolled) est. annual avg 26.90 c/kWh. Get Shifty Off‑Peak 24.74 c/kWh, Peak 32.06 c/kWh.
  • Waikato (Hamilton, WEL Networks): Daily charge (Low‑User) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time (Uncontrolled) est. annual avg 28.26 c/kWh. Get Shifty Off‑Peak 26.39 c/kWh, Peak 33.49 c/kWh, Night 25.01 c/kWh.
  • Bay of Plenty (Tauranga, Powerco East): Daily charge (Low‑User) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time/Inclusive est. annual avg 29.27 c/kWh. Get Shifty Off‑Peak 25.15 c/kWh, Peak 39.07 c/kWh.
  • Central North Island (Taupō, Unison): Daily charge (Low‑User) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time (Uncontrolled) est. annual avg 29.51 c/kWh; Inclusive 26.98 c/kWh. Get Shifty (Inclusive) Off‑Peak 28.94 c/kWh, Peak 32.16 c/kWh, Night 17.32 c/kWh.
  • Eastland (Firstlight): Daily charge (Low‑User) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time (Uncontrolled) est. annual avg 33.25 c/kWh. Get Shifty Off‑Peak 28.51 c/kWh, Peak 42.82 c/kWh.
  • Taranaki (Powerco West): Daily charge (Low‑User) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time/Inclusive est. annual avg 31.04 c/kWh. Get Shifty Off‑Peak 27.66 c/kWh, Peak 38.97 c/kWh.
  • Whanganui (Powerco West): Daily charge (Low‑User) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time/Inclusive est. annual avg 31.04 c/kWh. Get Shifty Off‑Peak 27.66 c/kWh, Peak 39.00 c/kWh.
  • Wellington (Wellington Electricity): Daily charge (Low‑User) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time (Uncontrolled) est. annual avg 25.05 c/kWh; Inclusive 23.75 c/kWh. Get Shifty (Uncontrolled) Off‑Peak 21.59 c/kWh, Peak 31.94 c/kWh. Night Boost est. avg 19.09 c/kWh.
  • Canterbury (Orion): Daily charge (Low‑User) typically 156.15–172.50 c/day depending on meter setup. Any‑time est. annual avg around 24.43–24.43 c/kWh (controlled/uncontrolled sites share similar anytime averages). Get Shifty Off‑Peak about 15.79 c/kWh, Peak about 32.91 c/kWh, with additional Weekend and Super‑Off‑Peak rates in this network.
  • Otago (Dunedin, Aurora): Daily charge (Standardised in this network) 172.50 c/day. Any‑time (Uncontrolled) est. annual avg 31.33 c/kWh; Inclusive 26.23 c/kWh. Get Shifty (Uncontrolled) Off‑Peak 29.66 c/kWh, Peak 33.11 c/kWh; Get Shifty (Inclusive) Off‑Peak 24.39 c/kWh, Peak 27.84 c/kWh.
  • Marlborough, Westland, and Southland: Rates vary by local network (Marlborough Lines, Westpower, and PowerNet companies). For current daily charges and per‑kWh rates in these areas, please contact Powershop directly or use the “Our rates” network download for your address.
  • Eligibility notes: Get Shifty and free‑weekend metering require an eligible smart meter. Low‑User is limited to main homes and is being phased out nationally (fixed charges rise, variable charges fall each April through 2026 in affected areas). If your meter/tariff configuration differs (e.g., controlled/uncontrolled split, day/night), your rates will differ accordingly.

Who this plan suits best

All Inclusive with Powershop (i.e., a single anytime rate that includes controlled hot water on one tariff) suits households wanting simple, predictable charging without managing separate controlled/uncontrolled circuits. It works well for small families and large households that value no fixed term, transparent pricing, and the ability to lower costs by shopping monthly Staying Power and weekly Specials in the app. If you have flexibility to shift use, Get Shifty (Time‑of‑Use) suits larger households, EV owners and small businesses operating outside peak hours, as off‑peak and night rates can be materially cheaper year‑round. The free‑weekends join offer can benefit weekend‑heavy users (e.g., families who batch laundry, dishwashing and cooking on weekends), while the Hot Water Hero credit suits customers happy to allow short hot‑water control events. Solar users can pair Powershop’s retail rates with a straightforward buy‑back rate, making it a reasonable fit for homes exporting modest amounts of solar generation.

Additional services included

• Hot Water Hero: Optional demand‑response programme for eligible smart‑metered homes where Powershop briefly pauses electric hot‑water heating during selected times. You receive a NZ$10 monthly bill credit while opted in. Included: Optional; Price: Credit of NZ$10/month (no fee to join). • EV Powerpack: Optional powerpack for verified EV/PHEV owners who primarily charge at their home ICP. Provides a recurring discounted pack (e.g., NZ$14 of power for NZ$10) typically dropped into your Shop every fortnight after your first purchase. Included: Optional; Price: NZ$10 for NZ$14 of credit (effective discount varies by usage). • Solar buy‑back: Optional on‑site generation buy‑back with an import‑export meter. Buy‑back rate is 13 c/kWh for exported electricity; no fixed‑term contract and standard Powershop plan benefits apply. Included: Optional; Price: 13 c/kWh credit for exports. If other add‑ons (e.g., broadband/mobile bundles) are offered at times by Powershop’s parent group or partners, they are not bundled into the Powershop All Inclusive electricity tariff itself. If no eligible services appear in your account, availability may depend on your network area, meter configuration, or current promotions.

Plan conditions at a glance

  • No fixed‑term contract for the standard residential offer; you can switch any time (remaining join‑offer credits/free weekends are forfeited if you leave early).
  • Pricing consists of a daily fixed charge plus variable per‑kWh charges. Most per‑kWh rates are seasonal and may change; rates include GST and applicable levies.
  • Special Rates (displayed in estimates) assume you buy the Staying Power pack each month and all limited‑time Specials released in your billing period; otherwise your Standard Rate applies. Future Packs and Value Packs provide extra savings but don’t determine Special Rates eligibility.
  • Low‑User eligibility is limited to your primary residence and is being phased out nationally; thresholds are generally 8,000 kWh/year (9,000 kWh/year in parts of the lower South Island).
  • Get Shifty (Time‑of‑Use) and free‑weekend metering require an eligible smart meter; peak/off‑peak times and the presence of night/weekend/super‑off‑peak periods vary by network. Time windows and rates may change.
  • Free‑weekends join offer: first weekend of each month for 12 months, residential only, fair‑use limit of 250 kWh per free weekend; credits are applied after each weekend. You must remain a customer to receive remaining free weekends.
  • $150 credit join offer: residential only, paid over 12 months (NZ$25 + NZ$10×10 + NZ$25); you must remain a customer to receive remaining credits.
  • Hot Water Hero: by invitation/eligibility; provides a NZ$10 monthly credit while enrolled and consenting to brief hot‑water control events; you may opt out.
  • Payments: multiple methods accepted; a card processing fee may apply to credit/debit card transactions. Account Reviews occur monthly, with notifications via app/email.
  • Terms and fees (e.g., refunds policy, schedule of service fees) may be updated; contract/payment‑mechanism changes are usually notified at least 30 days in advance by email and on the website.

Promotions and discounts

Powershop promotes two headline join offers you can choose from when you sign up: (1) the first weekend of every month free for your first 12 months, or (2) NZ$150 of free power spread across your first year. The free-weekends offer applies from 12:00 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday on the first weekend of each calendar month for 12 months; a fair-use limit of 250 kWh per free weekend applies for standard residential use. Credits for the weekend are typically applied within 10 working days. You need an eligible smart meter, and if you switch away before 12 months, you forfeit any remaining free weekends. The NZ$150 credit option is delivered as NZ$25 upfront, NZ$10 per month for 10 months, and NZ$25 in month 12; if you leave early, remaining credits are not paid. Both join offers are for new residential customers only and cannot usually be combined. Ongoing savings are available to existing customers via Powershop’s Shop. The monthly Staying Power pack discounts your Standard Rate (20% for new customers, increasing by 1% per year of tenure up to 25%). Limited-time “Specials” appear most weeks, and Future Packs let you buy power months in advance at set discounts. Customers may also be invited into Hot Water Hero (eligible meters only), which provides a NZ$10 monthly bill credit in exchange for allowing brief daytime pauses to electric hot water heating; this does not affect hot water availability for typical use. EV owners can opt in to the EV Powerpack (for verified EV/PHEV owners charging at their home ICP), which offers a recurring discounted pack (e.g., NZ$14 of power for NZ$10, typically available fortnightly). A refer-a-friend programme (“Switch Your Mates”) offers the referrer NZ$100 and the referred friend NZ$150 of free power (friend’s credit paid over 12 months); standard eligibility and sign-up requirements apply.

How Powershop can change this plan's price

Powershop’s per‑kWh rates are seasonal and can vary month to month unless you are on a fixed energy price plan (where available). Prices are reviewed annually and commonly adjusted from 1 April to reflect updated distribution (lines) charges, transmission charges, regulatory settings (including the ongoing phase‑out of Low‑User fixed‑charge regulations), and broader market conditions such as wholesale energy costs. Rates shown on the “Our Rates” network sheets are “correct as at” their stated effective date and may change over time. Customers can see active prices in the app or desktop under Your Rates and in monthly Account Review emails. Changes to contract terms or payment mechanisms are notified at least 30 days in advance by email and on the website. For material changes driven by external pass‑through costs (e.g., network fee revisions, government levies, or regulatory changes), Powershop typically reflects those from the next pricing reset (most commonly 1 April) and communicates the update through regular price notifications. Daily fixed charges are fixed within a given pricing period, while most per‑kWh usage rates are variable and move seasonally.

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Powershop domestic plan

Get Shifty (Time of Use)

Contract length

no fixed term

Exit fees

no exit fee

Solar buy-back

13c per kWh

Powershop logo
Powershop domestic plan

Solar Buy-Back

Contract length

no fixed term

Solar buy-back

13c per kWh

Powershop logo
Powershop domestic plan

Day/Night

Contract length

no fixed term

Exit fees

no exit fees

Solar buy-back

13 cents per kWh

How the tariff works

  • Tariff type: Day/Night metering with separate day and night usage registers. Pricing is a mix of a daily fixed charge and variable per‑kWh rates that generally move seasonally (lower in summer, higher in winter). For most customers, the per‑kWh rates are variable rather than fixed.
  • Night‑time definition: typically 11pm–7am in most areas; in Christchurch (on the Canterbury network) night is 9pm–7am. Powershop notes that Auckland networks do not offer a cheaper night unit rate even if a Day/Night meter is present.
  • How charges are calculated: you pay a daily charge (differs for Low User vs Standard User) plus a Day rate (per kWh used outside night hours) and a Night rate (per kWh used in the night window where available on your network). Rates depend on your network area, meter setup, and usage pattern, and they appear in your monthly account review and Your Rates in the app.
  • Peak/off‑peak or free periods: Day/Night itself has no free period by default. Any promotional free‑usage (e.g., First Weekend Free) applies to usage charges only and excludes daily charges.
  • Indicative regional notes and rates: Powershop does not publish a single public rate card for all regions because prices vary by month, user type, and meter setup. For current Day and Night unit prices and daily charges in Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Central North Island, Eastland, Taranaki, Whanganui, Wellington, Marlborough, Westland, Otago, and Southland, please contact Powershop directly or check Your Rates in the app. In Auckland, a lower night rate is generally not available under Day/Night; in Canterbury/Christchurch the night window is 9pm–7am.
  • Eligibility and metering: Day/Night pricing requires a Day/Night‑capable meter. A smart meter is required for some promotions and optional programmes, but Day/Night metering can also be provided on legacy configurations where supported.

Who this plan suits best

Day/Night is best suited to homes or small businesses that can shift a meaningful share of usage into the night window. Typical winners include EV owners charging overnight, households running hot‑water boosting, heaters, dryers, or dishwashers late at night, and customers with flexible routines who can time‑shift laundry and appliance use. It is less compelling where night rates are not cheaper on the local network (e.g., Auckland), or for customers with little overnight usage. Low‑consumption households may focus more on Low User daily charges and Shop discounts than on Day/Night differentials. Larger households or small businesses with predictable night loads generally have greater savings potential, especially in regions where the night unit rate is materially below the day rate.

Additional services included

Optional add‑ons available to eligible Powershop customers include: (1) EV Powerpack: for verified EV/PHEV owners primarily charging at their ICP; a recurring fortnightly pack priced at $10 for $14 of power (applied as discounted energy purchased via the Shop). (2) Hot Water Hero (Smart Hot Water): where available and subject to eligibility (smart meter, participating network), Powershop may briefly pause your hot‑water cylinder for load management, and you receive a monthly bill credit (credit amount is notified at enrolment). You can opt out on notice. (3) OnSite Generation (solar export buy‑back): customers with approved export meters and network permission can receive a per‑kWh credit for exported energy; the buy‑back rate is provided by Powershop (fixed or variable depending on plan) and may be changed on 30 days’ notice. These services are optional and separate from the Day/Night tariff; availability and pricing depend on eligibility and location.

Plan conditions at a glance

  • Availability depends on meter setup: Day/Night requires a meter that separately registers day and night usage; night hours are generally 11pm–7am (9pm–7am in Christchurch/Canterbury).
  • Regional constraints: Auckland networks do not offer a cheaper night unit rate under Day/Night (a night register may exist but without a lower price).
  • Charging structure: a daily fixed charge applies (Low User vs Standard User) plus separate per‑kWh Day and Night rates that vary by region, season, and meter configuration.
  • Contract flexibility: no fixed‑term is required; you may switch or terminate at any time once amounts owing are settled, per customer terms.
  • Pricing visibility: your current month’s Day/Night unit rates and daily charge are shown in Your Rates and in monthly account review emails; rates generally follow a seasonal pattern and are reviewed around the start of each pricing year.
  • Eligibility for promotions: some promotions (e.g., First Weekend Free) require a smart meter with half‑hourly data and are for new residential principal residences only; promotions cannot be combined unless stated.
  • Credit and verification: Powershop may run a credit check at sign‑up and can set reasonable conditions (including maintaining an account credit balance) per the customer terms.
  • Fees: standard service fees may apply; a remote service fee for meter tariff changes was introduced on 9 April 2025; additional third‑party/network charges may be on‑charged where applicable.
  • Programmes: participation in Hot Water Hero is optional/eligibility‑based; if enrolled, Powershop may control hot‑water heating for short periods (up to eight hours per day) in exchange for a monthly credit.
  • Solar export: customers with OnSite Generation terms and approved export metering receive per‑kWh credits for exported energy; export rates can change on 30 days’ notice.

Promotions and discounts

Powershop offers two headline sign-up incentives that can be taken instead of each other. “First Weekend of Every Month Free” grants new residential customers 12 free weekends over their first 12 months (12:00 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday each month). Eligibility includes: being a new customer at your principal residence, having a smart meter that provides half‑hourly data, and not having received a Powershop sign‑up credit or offer at the same property within the last 12 months. A fair‑use cap of 250 kWh per free weekend applies; usage above that is charged at your standard rate. Credits for each free weekend are typically applied within 10 working days. The offer cannot be combined with other sign‑up offers and may be varied or withdrawn under its terms. Alternatively, new customers joining online can receive $150 of bill credits over their first year (paid $25 after switching, then $10 per month for ten months, and a final $25). It is limited to principal residences, cannot be redeemed for cash, and remaining credits are forfeited if you leave within 12 months. Customers who have received a Powershop sign‑up credit at the property in the last 12 months are ineligible. Ongoing savings tools in the Powershop Shop apply regardless of tariff (including Day/Night): the Monthly Staying Power Powerpack (largest discount off your Standard Rate, with the loyalty discount starting at 20% in year one and increasing by 1% annually to 25% by year five), frequent limited‑time Specials (second‑largest discounts), and Future Packs (up to 10% off your Standard Rate when pre‑purchasing power up to six months ahead). EV owners may opt into the EV Powerpack (a recurring fortnightly pack offering $14 of power for $10) by verifying EV/PHEV ownership and primarily charging at their ICP. Eligible customers in participating networks may join the Hot Water Hero (Smart Hot Water) programme, which provides a monthly bill credit (amount notified at enrolment) in exchange for allowing Powershop to briefly pause hot‑water heating for load management.

How Powershop can change this plan's price

For most customers, Powershop’s per‑kWh usage rates are variable and follow a seasonal pattern (typically higher in autumn/winter and lower in spring/summer). Your specific Day and Night unit rates and your daily fixed charge are shown in your monthly account review email and in the app under Your Rates. Powershop states that it generally reviews residential rates around the beginning of each year, with changes commonly taking effect from 1 April; however, rates can change over time and differ by network, user type (Low/Standard), and meter configuration. Drivers that can affect updates include changes in network (lines) charges by your local distribution company, wholesale energy cost movements, and government levies/regulatory settings. Price‑pack products in the Shop (e.g., Specials, Staying Power, Future Packs) are promotional and their prices/discounts may change at any time. Export buy‑back rates for customers on OnSite Generation terms may be fixed or variable and are subject to change with 30 days’ notice. Notice of standard retail price movements is provided by displaying the current and upcoming month’s rates in your account (and via monthly account reviews); where applicable, Powershop may also notify customers directly in line with its customer terms.

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Powershop domestic plan

Night Only

Contract length

no fixed term

Exit fees

$0

Solar buy-back

13c per kWh

How the tariff works

  • Tariff type: Night Only is a metering/tariff configuration where certain circuits (e.g., storage heaters or electric hot water) are energised only overnight and billed at a Night Only rate. Powershop charges a daily fixed charge plus a variable per‑kWh energy rate; the per‑kWh rate is variable (seasonal) for most customers, while the daily charge is fixed for the month and depends on whether you are a low‑ or standard‑user.
  • Night‑time supply window: typically 11 pm–7 am in most regions and 9 pm–7 am in Christchurch; actual control times are set by local networks and can change. Circuits connected to the Night Only register receive power only during these night windows.
  • How charges are calculated: you pay a daily fixed charge (low‑ vs standard‑user) plus a per‑kWh charge for Night Only usage recorded by your meter’s Night Only register. Any other registers at your property (e.g., uncontrolled/inclusive) are billed at their respective per‑kWh rates. Rates vary by address, user category, and meter set‑up, and are shown in your Powershop account/app.
  • Eligibility: requires a compatible night‑only or controlled meter set‑up (often a smart meter with the relevant register) and network participation in controlled night supply. Free‑weekend promotions, if chosen, additionally require an eligible smart meter.
  • Regional notes and rates: Powershop does not publish a public table of Night Only per‑kWh prices; rates are address‑specific and change over time. For current Night Only rates and daily charges in Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Central North Island, Eastland, Taranaki, Whanganui, Wellington, Marlborough, Westland, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, please contact Powershop directly via the app or support. In Auckland, local networks do not offer a cheaper night rate; a Night Only register may still operate/ be controllable, but savings relative to day rates may not apply—confirm with Powershop for your address.
  • Free or off‑peak periods: Night Only is not a time‑of‑use plan with daytime off‑peak pricing; instead, it is a controlled night‑supply register. However, if you select the 12 free‑weekends sign‑up offer, weekend usage (including Night Only circuits that are energised during those hours) is credited under that promotion’s fair‑use terms.
  • Price per kWh: Powershop’s Night Only per‑kWh prices are address‑specific and vary seasonally; to obtain the current per‑kWh rate for your property (and the applicable daily charge), check Your Rates in the Powershop app/desktop or contact Powershop directly.

Who this plan suits best

Night Only suits households that can shift meaningful load to the overnight window—especially properties with electric hot‑water cylinders, storage heaters, or other appliances wired to a controlled night‑only register. EV owners who routinely charge overnight can also benefit, particularly outside Auckland and in networks that offer lower night rates; eligible EV owners can stack the EV Powerpack discount on top. Customers who choose the 12 free‑weekends offer can further reduce costs by running discretionary chores during those weekends. Night Only is less suitable for small businesses or solar‑heavy homes whose demand is mainly daytime; solar users export during the day and may find a time‑of‑use option (Get Shifty) paired with daytime self‑consumption and overnight EV charging more aligned with their pattern. In Auckland, because networks don’t provide cheaper night rates, Night Only may not deliver savings versus inclusive/uncontrolled tariffs; check your address‑specific rates before deciding.

Additional services included

Hot Water Hero (optional): A demand‑response program for eligible smart‑metered customers with electric hot‑water cylinders; Powershop remotely pauses cylinder heating at times of high demand in exchange for a $10 bill credit each month you remain enrolled. Opt‑out anytime. EV Powerpack (optional): For registered EV/PHEV owners who primarily charge at their ICP and have access to the Powershop Shop; offers $14 of power for $10, typically available every fortnight. Solar buy‑back (optional add‑on for customers with an approved import/export meter): Flat buy‑back credit of 13 cents per kWh exported (no cap, rate subject to change). No fixed‑term contract is required. Powershop Shop and Powerpacks (included for most residential customers): Access to discounted Powerpacks (e.g., Monthly Staying Power and limited‑time specials) that lower the effective per‑kWh price for the power covered by those packs during each billing cycle.

Plan conditions at a glance

  • No fixed‑term contract for residential customers; you can switch or leave at any time (standard fees may apply for requested services such as special meter reads).
  • Night Only requires a compatible night‑only/controlled meter register; the connected circuits receive power only during the network’s night window (commonly 11 pm–7 am; 9 pm–7 am in Christchurch). Actual times and availability are set by local networks and can change.
  • In Auckland networks, cheaper night energy pricing is not offered; confirm potential savings for Night Only at your specific address before choosing it.
  • Pricing comprises a daily fixed charge (varies by low‑ vs standard‑user) plus a variable per‑kWh energy rate; most per‑kWh rates vary seasonally. Prices are property‑specific and shown in your account/app.
  • Low‑user eligibility: generally under 8,000 kWh per year (9,000 kWh in parts of the lower South Island). Low‑user daily charges have been increasing annually under the Government’s phase‑out of low‑user fixed‑charge regulations (through 2026).
  • Load control: networks and/or Powershop may control connected load on the Night Only register. Participation in Hot Water Hero (if eligible) provides a $10 monthly credit and involves additional controlled hot‑water switching; opt‑out is available.
  • Sign‑up promotions: choose either $150 credits over 12 months or 12 free weekends (first weekend of each month for a year). Free weekends require an eligible smart meter and are subject to a 250 kWh fair‑use allowance per weekend; electricity usage only.
  • Billing and payment: Powershop runs a monthly Account Review. You may buy discounted Powerpacks during the period; any shortfall is automatically settled at period end using your default payment method (you receive at least 3 days’ notice before an auto‑debit).
  • Price reviews typically occur around 1 April and may change at other times due to wholesale, network, or regulatory factors. Price and contract changes are communicated via email and/or in‑app/website notifications.
  • For current Night Only per‑kWh rates and the night‑supply window at your address, check “Your Rates” in the app/desktop or contact Powershop directly.

Promotions and discounts

New customers can choose one of two national sign‑up offers: a $150 free‑power credit spread over the first 12 months (typically $25 in month 1, $10 per month for the next ten months, then $25 in month 12) or 12 free weekends (the first weekend of each month free for 12 months). The free‑weekends offer applies from 12:00 am Saturday to 11:59 pm Sunday, is for electricity usage only (excludes gas), and is subject to a fair‑use allowance of 250 kWh per weekend; any excess is billed at the standard rate. Credits for a free weekend are normally applied within 10 working days after the weekend. Both sign‑up offers are available to residential customers only; the free‑weekends option also requires an eligible smart meter. If you switch away before the 12 months are up, you forfeit any remaining credits or free weekends. Ongoing, eligible customers can access additional ways to save: Hot Water Hero (a $10 monthly bill credit in exchange for allowing remote control of an electric hot‑water cylinder via a participating smart meter/network, opt‑out anytime) and the EV Powerpack (for registered EV or PHEV owners who primarily charge at their ICP, offering $14 worth of power for $10, typically available every fortnight in the Powershop Shop). Most residential customers also have access to discounted Powerpacks (including a Monthly Staying Power pack and time‑limited specials) that reduce the effective per‑kWh cost for the power covered by those packs.

How Powershop can change this plan's price

Powershop sets prices individually for each property based on location (network charges), meter set‑up/tariff, and user category (low vs standard). For most residential customers, the per‑kWh energy rate varies seasonally (generally higher in autumn/winter and lower in spring/summer), while the daily fixed charge can differ by user category and may change when regulatory settings or network fees change. Powershop states that it generally reviews rates annually with changes often taking effect around 1 April, but rates can also be adjusted at other times to reflect movements in wholesale electricity costs, distribution/transmission charges, Electricity Authority levies, GST/regulatory changes, and cost‑to‑serve. Customers are informed of their current prices in the Powershop app/desktop under “Your Rates” and via the monthly Account Review email. Contract or payment‑mechanism changes are notified at least 30 days in advance by email and on the website. Planned network outages are normally notified at least four business days ahead. If you need the exact notice period for a specific upcoming price change at your address, check recent Powershop emails and the “Your Rates” section, or contact Powershop support.

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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 Powershop 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.