All 16 energy schemes & grants in New Zealand
From Warmer Kiwi Homes insulation grants and the Winter Energy Payment to 1% green home loans and the new Retailer Default Tariff, here is every government-backed scheme a Kiwi household can use to cut power costs in 2026.
16
Schemes & protections
80%
Max insulation subsidy
200k+
Homes upgraded since 2018
1%
Green loan interest rate
New Zealand’s government supports warm, energy-efficient homes through a mix of direct grants, weekly payments, low-interest green loans and consumer-protection rules. Together they cut up-front costs, lift the standard of rentals and shield households from runaway power bills.
The four flagship programmes are Warmer Kiwi Homes, the Winter Energy Payment, the Healthy Homes Initiative and the Community Renewable Energy Fund. Around them sit major-bank green loans at 1% interest, regional council top-ups, and a growing set of regulatory protections under the Electricity Authority.
The four flagship programmes
New Zealand’s biggest energy support schemes
These four government-backed programmes deliver the bulk of energy support to Kiwi households — covering insulation, heating costs, healthy housing and renewable generation.
Warmer Kiwi Homes
EECA
Grants covering up to 80% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, plus approved heat pumps and wood burners. Targeted at low-income households in older homes.
Winter Energy Payment
Work and Income
A non-taxable weekly top-up paid automatically to NZ Super, Veteran’s Pension and main benefit recipients from 1 May to 1 October to help with heating costs.
Healthy Homes Initiative
Te Whatu Ora
Health-led programme that delivers insulation, curtains, beds and minor repairs to families with children at risk of housing-sensitive illness. Referral by a GP or social agency.
Community Renewable Energy Fund
EECA
Co-funding for marae, papakāinga and rural communities to install solar PV, batteries and microgrids. Five rounds delivered between 2021 and 2026.
Every scheme in NZ
Compare all 16 energy schemes & protections
Filter by what each scheme actually delivers — direct grants, weekly payments, low-interest loans, renewable funding or regulatory protections.
Warmer Kiwi Homes
EECA · 80% subsidy
Grants covering up to 80% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, plus approved heat pumps and wood burners. Targeted at low-income households in older homes.
Winter Energy Payment
Work and Income · $20–$32/week
A non-taxable weekly top-up paid automatically to NZ Super, Veteran’s Pension and main benefit recipients from 1 May to 1 October to help with heating costs.
Healthy Homes Initiative
Te Whatu Ora · Free for whānau
Health-led programme that delivers insulation, curtains, beds and minor repairs to families with children at risk of housing-sensitive illness. Referral by a GP or social agency.
Community Renewable Energy Fund
EECA · Up to $2M / project
Co-funding for marae, papakāinga and rural communities to install solar PV, batteries and microgrids. Five rounds delivered between 2021 and 2026.
GIDI Fund
EECA · Business
Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry — co-funding for industrial process heat conversion, electrification and energy-efficiency upgrades. Over $650 million committed since 2020.
Low-Emission Transport Fund
EECA · EV infrastructure
Co-funds public EV charging, EV fleet conversion and hydrogen projects. Supports the build-out of fast-charging hubs nationwide.
Insulation top-up grants
EECA + councils · Regional
Several councils (Auckland, Wellington, Otago, Bay of Plenty) add a top-up on Warmer Kiwi Homes that can lift the subsidy to 90–100%. Eligibility varies by region.
Kiwibank Sustainable Energy Loan
Kiwibank · 1% interest
Up to $80,000 over 5 years at 1% p.a. interest for solar, batteries, EVs, heat pumps, insulation and double glazing. Available to existing home-loan customers.
Westpac Greater Choices Loan
Westpac · 1% interest
Top-up on an existing Westpac home loan, up to $50,000 at 1% p.a. for 5 years for energy-efficiency, low-emission vehicles and water-saving upgrades.
ANZ Good Energy Home Loan
ANZ · 1% interest
Up to $80,000 at a 1% p.a. fixed rate for 3 years for solar, batteries, insulation, double glazing, heat pumps and rainwater tanks.
BNZ Green Home Loan
BNZ · 1% interest
Up to $80,000 at 1% p.a. for 3 years on a wide list of approved upgrades: solar, EVs, insulation, heat pumps, water heating and ventilation.
Retailer Default Tariff
Electricity Authority · Price cap
Caps the price retailers can charge customers who never actively choose a plan. Introduced in 2023 to protect inactive households from paying premium rates.
Consumer Care Obligations
Electricity Authority · Mandatory
Binding rules retailers must follow when dealing with payment difficulty, medically dependent customers and disconnection threats. Effective since 1 April 2024.
Healthy Homes Standards
Tenancy Services · Rentals
Minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and draughts in all private rentals from 1 July 2025. Designed to lift the quality of rented housing.
Low Fixed Charge phase-out
MBIE · Transition
The Low Fixed Charge regulation is being phased out by 2027 to make pricing fairer for larger and rural households. Low-user discounts shift to targeted social support.
Solar buy-back reforms
Electricity Authority · Coming 2026
Upcoming rules require retailers to offer fair, transparent buy-back rates for surplus rooftop solar — alongside mandatory time-of-use plans for all households.
Schemes at a glance
What each scheme actually delivers
Some schemes pay cash. Others cut up-front costs, lend at 1% interest, or set the rules retailers must follow.
Warmer Kiwi Homes
Winter Energy Payment
Healthy Homes Initiative
Community Renewable Energy Fund
GIDI Fund
Low-Emission Transport Fund
Insulation top-up grants
Kiwibank Sustainable Energy Loan
Westpac Greater Choices Loan
ANZ Good Energy Home Loan
BNZ Green Home Loan
Retailer Default Tariff
Consumer Care Obligations
Healthy Homes Standards
Low Fixed Charge phase-out
Solar buy-back reforms
Last updated: May 2026. Eligibility, funding rounds and interest rates change — always confirm directly with the agency or bank.
6 things to check
How to qualify for NZ energy support
Each scheme has its own eligibility rules — but most flagship programmes share the same handful of criteria.
Income or Community Services Card
Warmer Kiwi Homes targets homeowners with a Community Services Card, SuperGold combo card or who live in a low-income area.
You own the home
Most grants require you to own and live in the property. Rentals are covered separately through the Healthy Homes Standards on the landlord.
Age of the home
Warmer Kiwi Homes is for houses built before 2008. Older homes lose the most heat and benefit the most from insulation and heat pumps.
You receive a qualifying benefit
The Winter Energy Payment is paid automatically to NZ Super, Veteran’s Pension, Jobseeker, Sole Parent and Supported Living recipients.
You bank with the right lender
Green home loans are only available to existing customers of Kiwibank, ANZ, BNZ or Westpac. The 1% rate is conditional on approved upgrades.
Your project is on the list
Approved upgrades typically include insulation, heat pumps, double glazing, solar PV, batteries, EVs and water heating. Cosmetic work does not qualify.
How much you get
How much is the Winter Energy Payment in 2026?
The Winter Energy Payment is paid automatically from 1 May to 1 October to eligible NZ Super, Veteran’s Pension and main benefit recipients. It is not means-tested, not taxable, and does not affect other entitlements.
$20.46
Single, no dependants / week
$31.82
Couple or dependants / week
$700
Max season total / couple
Payments stop automatically on 1 October. If you do not want the payment, you can opt out through MyMSD.
Why these schemes exist
Why government energy support matters in Aotearoa
Three structural problems explain why New Zealand commits hundreds of millions every year to household energy support.
Cold, leaky housing stock
Around half of New Zealand’s homes were built before insulation was compulsory in 1978. Many remain hard to heat, damp and expensive to run year-round.
High power bills
The average Kiwi household spends roughly $2,400 a year on electricity. Wholesale prices are set by the highest-cost thermal plant, keeping retail rates elevated.
Climate commitments
Aotearoa has a 2050 net-zero target. Insulating homes, electrifying heat and adding rooftop solar are the cheapest ways to cut emissions and save households money.
Keep exploring
More on NZ electricity
Grants and loans take time. While you wait, see who supplies your power and how much you should be paying.
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See price guidesEnergy schemes FAQ
The Selectra expert answers your questions
Apply directly through EECA’s Warmer Kiwi Homes service or by calling 0800 358 676. You will need to confirm you own the home, that it was built before 2008, and that you hold a Community Services Card, SuperGold combo card, or live in an area targeted by the programme. Once approved, an EECA-accredited installer comes out, surveys the home and books the work.
No, it is paid automatically. If you receive NZ Super, Veteran’s Pension, Jobseeker, Sole Parent or Supported Living Payment, Work and Income tops up your usual payment from 1 May to 1 October each year. You can opt out at any time through MyMSD if you would rather not receive it.
Some, yes. Renters benefit from the Healthy Homes Standards, which force the landlord to install insulation and an approved heat source. Renters with children may also qualify for the Healthy Homes Initiative through a GP or social agency. Most direct grants and green loans, however, are aimed at owner-occupiers.
A green home loan is a top-up on your existing mortgage at a heavily discounted interest rate (typically 1% p.a. for 3 to 5 years) used for approved energy-efficiency or low-emission upgrades. Kiwibank, ANZ, BNZ and Westpac all offer one. The loan amount, term and approved upgrades vary, so compare carefully.
Yes, indirectly. The Retailer Default Tariff, introduced in 2023, caps the price that retailers can charge customers who have never actively chosen a plan. The Consumer Care Obligations in force since April 2024 also require retailers to identify customers in payment difficulty and offer help before disconnecting.
Yes. The Winter Energy Payment is independent of grants and loans. A typical low-income household can receive a Warmer Kiwi Homes insulation grant, a council top-up, the Winter Energy Payment, and still take out a 1% green loan to add solar or double glazing on top.
Cut your bill while you wait
Save up to NZ$400 a year by switching power company
Government grants take time. Switching electricity retailer takes minutes — compare all 22 NZ power companies and find a cheaper plan before the next bill lands.