Power Bill Time-of-Use Plan Comparator
Compare NZ retailer power plans — flat-rate, Time-of-Use, Hour of Power, and spot price. See which is cheapest for your usage pattern.
About this calculator
This calculator implements NZ retailer plan structures + Time-of-Use tariffs from Powerswitch (Consumer NZ). Last consulted 18 May 2026. Verify the figures yourself by following the link.
NZ retailer plan types
Mid-2026 market structure- •Flat-rate (anytime): ~$0.30/kWh
- •ToU peak (Genesis Energy Plus): ~$0.40/kWh peak
- •ToU night: ~$0.18/kWh
- •Electric Kiwi Hour of Power: 1 free hour/day
- •Spot price (Octopus/Flick): Varies $0.05-$0.80/kWh
- •Daily fixed charge: $0.90-$1.50 (Low User: $0.30)
Source: Powerswitch — Consumer NZ
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results are based on standard formulas and may not reflect your individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
How NZ power plans compare
Multiply usage split (peak/off-peak/night/free) by each plan's per-kWh rate, plus daily fixed charge.
- 1
Calculate usage cost
Usage = kWh × (peak% × peak_rate + off% × off_rate + night% × night_rate + free% × free_rate)
Free hour plans have 0 cost on free portion.
- 2
Add daily charge
Daily_total = daily_charge × 30.4 (avg days/mo)
Low User plans cap daily at $0.30 for ≤8,000 kWh/yr.
- 3
Monthly bill
Bill = Usage + Daily_total
Add 15% GST if not already included.
- 4
Compare plans
Cheapest = min(plan_a, plan_b, ...) for your usage profile
Reshuffling usage to night (EV, hot water) can shift winner.
Worked example
Inputs: 650 kWh/mo, 40% peak / 30% off / 25% night / 5% free
Result: Flat $232/mo. ToU $208/mo (10% saving). Hour of Power saves ~$11/mo on usage but more on free hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are NZ Time-of-Use plans worth it?
What's the cheapest NZ power plan in 2026?
How do I switch power retailer in NZ?
What is the Low User power plan and should I be on it?
The power plan comparator prices your monthly electricity bill under flat-rate, time-of-use (ToU), free-hour, and spot-price plans from NZ retailers, using your own usage pattern to show which structure is genuinely cheapest.
How this calculator works
NZ retailers now sell power in four main shapes. Flat-rate plans charge one price per kWh all day (about $0.30). Time-of-use plans charge more at peak (7-9am and 5-9pm, around $0.40), less off-peak, and least overnight (about $0.18) — rewarding anyone who can shift hot water, laundry, or EV charging. Free-hour plans (such as Electric Kiwi's Hour of Power) give one free off-peak hour daily, worth real money to disciplined users. Spot plans (Flick, Octopus) pass through the wholesale price, which averages low but can spike above $0.80/kWh in cold snaps. The calculator multiplies your monthly kWh by your peak/off-peak/night split under each structure, adds the daily fixed charge (30.4 days per month), and ranks the plans. The general rule: the more load you can move to nights, the more a ToU or spot plan beats flat — EV owners are almost always better off on ToU.
NZ power plan structures (mid-2026)
| Flat-rate (anytime) | ~$0.30/kWh |
| ToU peak (7-9am, 5-9pm) | ~$0.40/kWh |
| ToU night | ~$0.18/kWh |
| Free-hour plans | 1 free off-peak hour/day (Electric Kiwi) |
| Spot price range | $0.05 - $0.80+/kWh (Flick, Octopus) |
| Daily fixed charge | $0.90 - $1.50 (Low User $0.30) |
Compare live plans for your address on Powerswitch (Consumer NZ).
Worked Examples
650 kWh/month, usage split 40% peak / 30% off-peak / 25% night / 5% free hour
ToU ≈ $208/month beats flat-rate ≈ $232/month — about 10% saved with no behaviour change.
- Flat: 650 × $0.30 + $1.20 × 30.4 days ≈ $232
- ToU usage: 650 × (0.40×$0.40 + 0.30×$0.25 + 0.25×$0.18 + 0.05×$0) ≈ $172
- ToU total with daily charge: ≈ $208
- Saving: ≈ $24/month, ~$290/year
EV household: 900 kWh/month with half of all usage shifted to night rates
ToU ≈ $258/month vs flat ≈ $307 — saving ≈ $49/month ($590/year).
- Flat: 900 × $0.30 + daily ≈ $307
- ToU: 900 × (0.25×$0.40 + 0.20×$0.28 + 0.50×$0.18 + 0.05×$0) ≈ $221 usage
- With daily charge: ≈ $258
- Night EV charging drives the saving — the flatter your profile, the less ToU helps
Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the IRD and official New Zealand government sources.
Last reviewed: