Household electricity prices rise more than 5%

Power prices are rising, with energy costs increasing more than lines charges. (Image: Depositphotos)

Wed, 15 Jun 2022

Average household electricity prices increased more than 5% in the last year, with the energy component rising the fastest and large variations between regions, analysis shows.The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) latest data shows that the national average of what is classed as a typical ‘model’ household was paying 30.8 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) in May 2021.This was made up of a lines component – the price charged to transmit electricity to households of 11.3 c/kWh; and an ‘energy and...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Finance

Govt confirms $5m home threshold for golden visa applications

Latest shake-up of foreign investment announced.

Staff reporters 3:00pm

Primary Sector

Open Country Dairy signs deal to buy Miraka

It is Open Country's second acquisition recently.

Riley Kennedy 12:00pm

Open Country Dairy signs deal to buy Miraka

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Monday, Sept 01

Take a break and try our quiz.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Sponsored

A two-track approach to cracking NZ’s EV charging puzzle

Z Energy aims to support easing adoption bottlenecks by targeting the distinct needs of habitual and journey EV drivers.

Z Energy

Sponsored

AI efforts risk failure without clear business goals – Spark

It’s time for New Zealand businesses to move beyond AI experiments and start delivering measurable value.

Spark

More Energy

Markets

Market underwhelmed by Genesis outlook

The company says it’s still on track for $500m+ ebitda in FY28.

Pattrick Smellie 26 Aug 2025

News in Brief

Vector takes $37 million impairment

NZX-listed energy distributor Vector took a $37 million impairment in its latest result to reflect fewer gas connections and “significant market uncertainty” over future gas supply.The impairment reflected forecasts in the company’s gas asset management plan that showed total con...

Staff reporters 25 Aug 2025