Compare Electricity Plans for Seniors 🇳🇿

Find the best electricity rates for your household. Compare plans from 18+ New Zealand providers with senior discounts, low-user options, and fixed rates. Save up to $300/year by switching.

Senior Discounts Available

Community Services Card holders get 10-20% off with most providers. Plus prompt payment discounts, online billing savings, and bundle deals. Low-user plans from 25c/kWh.

Top Electricity Providers for Seniors - 2025

Compare New Zealand's leading electricity providers. All offer competitive rates with various senior-friendly options and discounts.

Contact Energy

🌐 contact.co.nz | 📞 0800 808 908
POPULAR CHOICE
25.5c
per kWh (low-user)

Key Features:

Fixed and variable rate plans
Prompt payment discounts
Low-user options available
Bundle with broadband
100% renewable energy options

Pricing Details:

Low-user daily: $0.30
Low-user rate: 25.5c/kWh
Standard daily: $2.00
Standard rate: 21.0c/kWh
CSC discount: Available
💰 Example Cost (Low User):
Using 6,000 kWh/year = $1,639/year (~$137/month)

Genesis Energy

🌐 genesisenergy.co.nz | 📞 0800 300 400
26.0c
per kWh (low-user)

Key Features:

Community Services Card discount
Prompt payment rewards
Fixed rate options
Online account management
24/7 customer support

Pricing Details:

Low-user daily: $0.45
Low-user rate: 26.0c/kWh
Standard daily: $1.95
Standard rate: 21.5c/kWh
CSC discount: 20% off
💰 Example Cost (Low User):
Using 6,000 kWh/year = $1,724/year (~$144/month)

Mercury Energy

🌐 mercury.co.nz | 📞 0800 10 18 10
24.8c
per kWh (low-user)

Key Features:

100% NZ renewable energy
Mercury Rewards programme
Low and standard user options
Easy online switching
Bundle with broadband savings

Pricing Details:

Low-user daily: $0.35
Low-user rate: 24.8c/kWh
Standard daily: $1.85
Standard rate: 20.5c/kWh
Rewards: Up to $250/yr
💰 Example Cost (Low User):
Using 6,000 kWh/year = $1,615/year (~$135/month)

💡 Choosing the Right Plan

  • Low-user plans: Best if you use under 8,000 kWh/year (small household, good insulation)
  • Standard plans: Better if you use over 8,000 kWh/year (larger home, heat pumps, electric heating)
  • Check total cost: Compare annual costs including daily charges + usage, not just per-kWh rates
  • Community Services Card: Always mention you have a CSC - most providers offer 10-20% discounts

Understanding Your Electricity Bill

Your electricity bill has two main components. Understanding these helps you choose the right plan:

1. Daily Charge (Fixed)

A fixed daily fee for being connected to the network, regardless of usage.

Low-user: $0.30 - $0.60/day
Standard: $1.80 - $2.10/day
Annual difference: ~$550-730/year

2. Usage Charge (Variable)

Cost per unit of electricity used (kilowatt-hour or kWh), varies with consumption.

Low-user: 24-28c/kWh
Standard: 20-24c/kWh
Per-kWh difference: ~4-5c more (low-user)

Which Plan is Right for You?

✓ Choose Low-User If:

  • • You use under 8,000 kWh per year (~22 kWh/day)
  • • Single or couple in well-insulated home
  • • Use gas for hot water/cooking
  • • Energy efficient appliances
  • • Don't use electric heating much

✓ Choose Standard If:

  • • You use over 8,000 kWh per year (~22+ kWh/day)
  • • Family home or larger property
  • • All-electric home (no gas)
  • • Electric hot water and cooking
  • • Heat pumps or electric heaters

Real Electricity Costs for Seniors 2025

Low User - Auckland

$120-150/mo: 1-2 person household, 4000 kWh/year • Contact Energy Low User plan

Standard User - Wellington

$180-220/mo: Heat pump, normal use, 8000 kWh/year • Meridian/Genesis standard

Senior Discount Programs

Contact Energy: SuperGold Card discount (varies by plan)
Meridian: Off-peak rates benefit seniors home during day
Prompt Payment Discounts: Most providers give 10-22%% off if you pay on time

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average electricity cost in NZ?

Average New Zealand households pay 25-35 cents per kWh plus a daily charge of $1.00-2.00. Total costs vary significantly based on:

  • • Usage: Average NZ home uses 7,000-8,000 kWh/year (~$1,600-2,000/year)
  • • Plan type: Low-user vs standard plans
  • • Location: Network charges vary by region
  • • Discounts: CSC, prompt payment, online billing can save 15-25%
Senior households typically use less:

Couples or singles in well-insulated homes often use 5,000-7,000 kWh/year, making low-user plans ideal ($1,400-1,800/year).

What are low-user and standard-user plans?

New Zealand electricity plans come in two types, designed for different usage levels:

Low-User Plans

  • • Threshold: Under 8,000 kWh/year
  • • Daily charge: $0.30-0.60/day (low)
  • • kWh rate: 24-28c/kWh (higher)
  • • Best for: Small households, good insulation, gas heating
  • • Annual savings: $200-400 vs standard (if low usage)

Standard-User Plans

  • • Threshold: Over 8,000 kWh/year
  • • Daily charge: $1.80-2.10/day (high)
  • • kWh rate: 20-24c/kWh (lower)
  • • Best for: Larger homes, all-electric, heat pumps
  • • Annual savings: $300-500 vs low-user (if high usage)
💡 How to decide:

Check your last 12 months of bills. Add up total kWh used. If under 8,000 kWh → low-user. If over 8,000 kWh → standard. Most seniors benefit from low-user plans.

Are there senior electricity discounts available?

Yes, several discounts are available for seniors:

1. Community Services Card (CSC) Discount

  • • Discount: 10-20% off electricity bills
  • • Who qualifies: Low-income seniors, superannuitants
  • • Providers: Genesis (20%), Contact (varies), Mercury (varies)
  • • How to apply: Show CSC to provider when signing up or call to add
  • • Annual savings: $150-350/year typical

2. Prompt Payment Discount

  • • Discount: 5-22% off if paid on time
  • • Most providers: Offer this discount
  • • Set up: Direct debit for automatic payment
  • • Annual savings: $80-350/year

3. Other Discounts

  • • Online billing: $20-40/year savings
  • • Bundle with broadband: $50-150/year savings
  • • Loyalty rewards: Mercury offers up to $250/year back
  • • Referral bonuses: $50-100 for referring friends
💰 Maximum Savings:

Combining CSC discount (20%) + prompt payment (20%) + online billing = up to 40% off base rates, potentially saving $600+/year!

Should I choose fixed or variable electricity rates?

The choice between fixed and variable rates depends on your priorities:

Fixed Rate Plans

How it works:

Per-kWh rate locked in for 1-2 years, regardless of market changes.

✓ Advantages:
  • • Budget certainty on fixed income
  • • Protection from price increases
  • • Easy to plan expenses
  • • Peace of mind
✗ Disadvantages:
  • • Miss out if rates drop
  • • Early exit fees if you switch
  • • Often 5-10% higher than variable initially

Variable Rate Plans

How it works:

Per-kWh rate changes with wholesale prices, can go up or down.

✓ Advantages:
  • • Cheaper initially (5-10% less)
  • • Benefit from rate drops
  • • More flexibility to switch
  • • No exit fees usually
✗ Disadvantages:
  • • Bill can increase unexpectedly
  • • Harder to budget
  • • Need to monitor rates
  • • Winter spikes possible
💡 Recommendation for Seniors:

Fixed rates are generally better for seniors on fixed incomes because:

  • • Budget certainty is more valuable than potential small savings
  • • No stress about bill fluctuations
  • • Protection during winter when usage is highest
  • • Easier financial planning for the year ahead

Exception: If you're confident you'll monitor rates and can handle bill variations, variable might save 5-10% in stable market conditions.

Start Saving on Electricity Today

Compare electricity plans from 18+ New Zealand providers. Find senior discounts and low-user options. Switching is free and easy - save up to $300/year.

25c
Starting from/kWh
(low-user plans)
18+
Providers to
compare
20%
CSC discount
available

Contact Providers:

Contact Energy
🌐 contact.co.nz
📞 0800 808 908
Genesis Energy
🌐 genesisenergy.co.nz
📞 0800 300 400
Mercury Energy
🌐 mercury.co.nz
📞 0800 10 18 10