Connect power and gas at your new address

Getting power connected on time avoids arriving to a cold, dark house -- and comparing providers first can save a genuine amount over a year.

How to do it

1. Compare providers before you commit -- pricing and sign-up deals vary more than most people expect, and switching later is easy if you didn't compare first.
2. Book the connection at least a few days before move-in, ideally more -- some retailers need lead time, especially if a physical meter reading or reconnection is required.
3. Have the address and move-in date ready when you sign up -- how quickly you can connect depends on whether the property is already connected, the meter type, and your retailer's own requirements, so ask directly rather than assuming a same-week connection.
4. Check if gas is bottled or reticulated at your new place -- this changes who you need to contact.

Common mistakes

• Waiting until moving day to think about power -- reconnections aren't always instant
• Not comparing providers and defaulting to whoever the previous occupant used
• Forgetting to arrange a final reading/close-out at your old address

Related tasks

Sort your internet connection at the same time -- bundling providers sometimes gets a better deal, and lead times are similar.

Useful links

• Compare power plans (Powerswitch) -- a free, independent comparison run by Consumer NZ, ranked by price rather than promotions.