There are two main types of electricity prices, in New Zealand:

• retail price
• wholesale price

The retail price refers to the price domestic consumers pay retailers for supplying them with electricity as indicated on domestic electricity accounts.

The wholesale price is the price set by the wholesale electricity pool. The price generators receive for generating electricity and the price retailers pay for electricity they purchase.

Wholesale prices are also commonly referred to as spot prices, or final prices defined under the Electricity Governance Rules.

The wholesale price affects the retail price, but it tends to fluctuate a lot more as it is set by competitive behaviour in the market.

The wholesale prices are available weekly from the Wholesale market reports.

For people interested in wholesale prices over a wider timeframe are available from the COMIT website.

Pricing queries

• Contact with your electricity retailer for information about pricing.
• Schedule of domestic electricity prices

• The Consumers Institute website provides you with the opportunity to work out which power company and pricing plan is best for you.