Switching Power and Broadband Providers in NZ

Moving house always means dealing with power and broadband at your new address — switching to a different provider is a separate, optional decision on top of that. It's worth keeping the two apart, since they're often confused.

Electricity: what actually happens when you move

Whether you stay with your current retailer or switch, you need to set up a new connection at your new address — your account doesn't just follow you. Once that's arranged, your actual power supply isn't interrupted; retailers use the same physical lines network, so a "switch" is really just a change of who bills you.

Meter readings work differently depending on your meter type. If your property has a smart meter, your retailer reads it remotely and there's usually nothing for you to do. If it has an older mechanical meter, you'll typically need to give a final reading yourself on your last day, and take a note of the reading at your new place when you arrive, in case it's been vacant for a while. Switching itself typically takes 3 to 4 days, according to the Electricity Authority.

Powerswitch is a free, independent comparison service — it's worth comparing plans there before you commit to a retailer, whether you're switching or just setting up fresh at a new address.

Broadband: what actually happens when you move

Broadband is less forgiving of a "no action needed" assumption: even with the same provider, your existing plan doesn't follow you to a new address — you need to arrange a new connection there. Chorus's address-level fibre availability checker shows what's actually available at a specific address, since coverage varies street to street — worth checking before you compare plans, especially for an older property or a rural address.

A new fibre install can need a technician visit, so book it as early as you can once you know your move date — installation timeframes vary by provider, connection type, and address, and can take longer than expected if extra wiring or consent is needed at the property. Most NZ broadband routers are yours to keep, not the provider's, so there's usually no equipment to return — but check with your current provider if you're unsure, since a leased router is a real (if less common) exception.

Don't cancel the old service too early

For both power and broadband, a short overlap between old and new costs very little. A gap with no internet or power, on the other hand, is a genuinely bigger hassle to fix after the fact — especially if you're working from home or relying on broadband for anything time-sensitive. Confirm the new connection is actually live before cancelling the old one.

Comparing plans properly

Beyond headline price, check the contract length and any early termination fee, whether the plan is capped or unlimited data, and whether bundling power and broadband with the same provider genuinely saves money or is just convenient. Pricing and sign-up deals change often, so it's worth comparing even if you're happy with your current provider.

Before you move: checklist

1. Check your new address's broadband availability and book installation as early as possible.
2. Note your current property's meter reading on moving day if it isn't a smart meter.
3. Check your current power and broadband contracts for any early termination fee.
4. Confirm exactly when your old services will end, and don't schedule that cancellation until the new ones are live.
5. Compare plans on Powerswitch and against your current broadband provider before signing up anywhere.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a new address is automatically serviceable for fibre without checking first.
• Cancelling the old broadband connection before the new one is confirmed installed.
• Forgetting a final meter reading on an older, non-smart meter.

This guide is general information, not a quote — check current plans, fees, and install timeframes directly with providers before switching.