Skip to main content
Selectra New Zealand
Toast Electric logo
2 plans live in our comparator

Toast Electric kWh electricity rates and energy plans

Compare every Toast Electric 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.

See Toast Electric plans Reviews

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

Toast Electric logo
Toast Electric plans in detail

Every Toast Electric plan, decoded card by card.

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

Plans listed

2

live offers

Independent

100%

no paid ranking

Covers

All NZ

North & South Island

Toast Electric logo
Toast Electric domestic plan

Solar BuyBack

Contract length

no fixed term

Solar buy-back

11c per kWh (including GST)

Who this plan suits best

Solar BuyBack is best suited to households or small businesses that regularly export surplus solar generation, as exported units are credited at a flat 11 c/kWh (incl. GST). Users whose daytime generation materially exceeds daytime consumption will see the most benefit from export credits.  Customers with time‑shifting ability can pair Solar BuyBack with Toast’s Day/Night rates: running major loads at night (9 pm–7 am) reduces import costs while daytime solar covers usage and generates exports. This combination can suit EV owners who charge overnight, small families on Low‑User plans who are frugal during the day, and larger electric households (Standard‑User) with solar arrays sized to exceed midday demand.

Plan conditions at a glance

  • No fixed‑term contract is advertised; to stop supply you must give Toast at least 48 hours’ notice; switching to/from Toast follows industry rules.
  • Payment method: direct debit is the current standard method; other methods may be available by arrangement.
  • Solar BuyBack applies to electricity exported through an approved import/export smart meter; export credit is paid per kWh as published in the pricing plan.
  • Day/Night plan hours: Night 9 pm–7 am; Day 7 am–9 pm.
  • Rates include GST and are shown as valid from 1 April 2025; pricing varies by network area and by Low‑User vs Standard‑User status.
  • Toast may amend fees/charges with at least 30 days’ prior notice; individual written notice is provided where applicable (e.g., increases over 5%).
  • Customer responsibilities include providing safe, unobstructed access to meters and supply equipment and notifying Toast of material usage changes; medically dependent customers receive protections consistent with the Consumer Care Guidelines.
  • Additional service fees (e.g., tariff change, reconnection, metering work, site visits) may apply per Toast’s published fee schedule.

Promotions and discounts

Toast Electric does not advertise time-limited discounts, sign‑up credits, or “free hours” promotions for Solar BuyBack. Their FAQs state they avoid bundles and giveaways in favour of transparent, consistent pricing. For solar customers, the key ongoing benefit is an export credit: Solar BuyBack pays 11 c/kWh (including GST) for electricity exported to the grid via an approved import/export meter.  Eligibility is straightforward: you need a suitable import/export smart meter, as Solar BuyBack applies to electricity exported “through your meter to the grid.” Rates are published inclusive of GST, with pricing pages indicating current tariffs are “valid from 1 April 2025.” No additional customer-category specific promotions (e.g., for seniors or students) are listed for Solar BuyBack at this time. 

How Toast Electric can change this plan's price

Toast sets charges according to its pricing plans and notes that fees and charges may change from time to time. If prices are set to increase, customers receive at least 30 days’ prior notice by email or text; where an increase to a fee/service charge or the total invoiced electricity price exceeds 5% (and is likely to materially affect the customer), a separate individual written notice is provided. Flexible pricing plans are excluded from that specific notice rule. Beyond bill notices, Toast’s terms permit amendments to the agreement (including payment options, fees or charges) with 30 days’ prior notice, delivered via the website, newsletter, or direct communication. Toast also states it aims to keep pricing fair and reflective of the cost of supply; daily charges include pass‑through fixed charges from local lines companies and meter providers, so updates can reflect movements in these underlying network or metering costs. 

Toast Electric logo
Toast Electric domestic plan

Electricity

Contract length

no fixed term

Solar buy-back

11c per kWh

How the tariff works

  • Tariff type: Variable and Time‑of‑Use (Day/Night). Charges comprise a fixed daily charge plus per‑kWh energy rates. Day/Night has Night from 9 pm–7 am and Day from 7 am–9 pm, every day. No free‑power periods are advertised. All prices include GST and are valid from 1 April 2025.
  • Wellington (Wellington Electricity area) — Low user: daily $1.2075; Uncontrolled $0.3022/kWh; Controlled $0.2766/kWh; Composite $0.2914/kWh; Day $0.3565/kWh; Night $0.1783/kWh; Night Boost $0.2394/kWh. Standard user: daily $1.9806; Uncontrolled $0.2670/kWh; Controlled $0.2412/kWh; Composite $0.2562/kWh; Day $0.3151/kWh; Night $0.1576/kWh; Night Boost $0.2260/kWh. 
  • Kāpiti & Horowhenua (Electra area) — Low user: daily $1.2075; Uncontrolled $0.3692/kWh; Controlled $0.3013/kWh; Composite $0.3692/kWh; Day $0.4461/kWh; Night $0.2230/kWh; Night Boost $0.2930/kWh. Standard user: daily $2.3716; Uncontrolled $0.3160/kWh; Controlled $0.2482/kWh; Composite $0.3160/kWh; Day $0.3835/kWh; Night $0.1918/kWh; Night Boost $0.2482/kWh. 
  • Wairarapa (Powerco area) — Low user: daily $1.2075; Uncontrolled $0.4025/kWh; Controlled $0.3370/kWh; Composite $0.4025/kWh; Day $0.4859/kWh; Night $0.2429/kWh; Night Boost $0.2013/kWh. Standard user: daily $2.1850; Uncontrolled $0.3578/kWh; Controlled $0.2928/kWh; Composite $0.3578/kWh; Day $0.4334/kWh; Night $0.2167/kWh; Night Boost $0.2013/kWh. 
  • Canterbury (Christchurch & Central Canterbury – Orion) — Low user: daily $1.2075; Uncontrolled $0.2981/kWh; Controlled $0.2921/kWh; Composite $0.2921/kWh; Day $0.3605/kWh; Night $0.1803/kWh; Night Boost $0.2116/kWh. Standard user: daily $1.7035; Uncontrolled $0.2779/kWh; Controlled $0.2719/kWh; Composite $0.2719/kWh; Day $0.3369/kWh; Night $0.1684/kWh; Night Boost $0.2100/kWh.
  • Solar buy‑back: exported energy credited at $0.1100/kWh (where applicable). 
  • For Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Central North Island, Eastland, Taranaki, Whanganui, Marlborough, Westland, Otago, and Southland, rates are not listed by Toast; please contact the provider directly to confirm availability and pricing. 

Who this plan suits best

Small families and light‑to‑moderate users align with Toast’s Low‑User tariffs (defined as under 8,000 kWh/year in the North Island and 9,000 kWh/year in the South Island). Larger all‑electric homes (3+ occupants) and heavy users fit the Standard‑User tariffs (above those thresholds). Toast also supplies small businesses within its networked service areas, offering the same transparent structure of daily charges plus per‑kWh rates. EV owners and night‑shiftable households benefit from the Day/Night option, which applies lower Night rates from 9 pm–7 am and is recommended when at least 30% of usage can be shifted overnight. Solar households can participate in Toast’s solar buy‑back (11.0 c/kWh for exports), helping offset consumption with generation credits. 

Additional services included

Solar Buy‑Back: Optional export credit for households with solar; exports are credited at 11.0 c/kWh (GST incl.). No separate enrolment fee is stated. SmoothPay (budgeted payments): Optional payment method that evens out annual electricity costs into regular weekly/fortnightly/monthly direct‑debit instalments; terms are provided alongside general T&Cs. No additional charges are specified for using SmoothPay.  Home Energy Check and advice: All Toast customers can access a free home energy check and practical advice from Sustainability Trust advisors to improve comfort and reduce costs; Energy Wellbeing customers may also receive free or subsidised items and upgrades based on need. Outage support is available 24/7 via Toast’s outage line. 

Plan conditions at a glance

  • Service areas: homes and small businesses in Wellington, Porirua, Hutt Valley, Kāpiti, Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Christchurch and mid‑Canterbury (supply contingent on meter setup).
  • Plan structure: daily fixed charge plus per‑kWh variable rates; optional Day/Night pricing with Night 9 pm–7 am and Day 7 am–9 pm.
  • Payment: direct debit is the standard method; SmoothPay budget payments available for residential customers. Credit checks may be performed. 
  • Contract and switching: open‑term supply; to stop supply, provide at least 48 hours’ notice; provide 3 business days’ notice when moving to allow a final read.
  • Price changes: Toast may amend fees/charges with at least 30 days’ prior notice; material impacts or increases over 5% will be personally notified in writing. 
  • Solar: optional buy‑back available for exported energy at 11.0 c/kWh (GST incl.).
  • Care standards: medically dependent consumers should notify Toast and maintain backup arrangements; Toast follows the Electricity Authority’s Consumer Care Guidelines. 
  • Access and safety: customers must provide safe, unobstructed access for meter reads/maintenance; lines companies may conduct planned outages with at least four business days’ notice.
  • Support and complaints: 24/7 outage assistance is available; unresolved complaints can be escalated to Utilities Disputes (free and independent). 
  • Disconnections: Toast states it will not disconnect power without consulting the customer first (non‑emergency faults should be reported to the lines company or Toast). 

Promotions and discounts

Toast Electric’s core discount is delivered through its Energy Wellbeing programme for households experiencing energy hardship. Eligible customers (referred by approved community agencies and within Toast’s service areas) are guaranteed a lower overall electricity cost than they were paying their previous retailer. If Toast’s standard tariffs would otherwise be higher, a percentage discount is applied to bring the total bill below the prior provider’s cost, and this specific discount remains in place for up to 24 months. Entry is capacity‑limited and requires referral; it is designed to reduce financial stress while maintaining warm, healthy homes.  The programme also applies a Winter Energy Discount each year, reducing power bills for all electricity used in June, July, and August by a fixed percentage notified annually; if an Energy Wellbeing discount already applies, the winter discount replaces it during these months and the standard discount resumes from September. Outside the Energy Wellbeing programme, Toast’s public tariff offers do not advertise sign‑up credits or time‑limited freebies; available value levers are structural (e.g., a Day/Night option and a published solar buy‑back rate of 11.0 c/kWh). 

How Toast Electric can change this plan's price

Toast may amend its agreement, including fees and charges, by giving at least 30 days’ prior notice via its website, customer newsletter, letter, or email; where a change materially impacts a customer or increases fees/charges by more than 5%, Toast will also communicate the change to the customer personally in writing as soon as possible. The daily charge incorporates fixed costs from local lines companies and metering providers, which can drive price revisions over time. In addition, the terms recognise extraordinary circumstances (e.g., extreme electricity shortages or extreme pricing events) as force‑majeure conditions that can affect supply and costs.

Compare Toast Electric against other NZ retailers
Save up to $400 per year
Free comparison · No commitment

Not sure Toast Electric is the cheapest option for you?

Kiwi households can save up to $400 per year by switching to the right retailer for their usage. Compare every NZ electricity retailer in under a minute.

Compare all NZ retailers

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 Toast Electric 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.