No address specified
Change address
Estimated usage

-- kWh / -- days

What is a breakdown of the average household electricity bill in New Zealand?

Monday, April 1, 2019

 

What is a typical breakdown for how a typical New Zealand home uses their electricity?   

In 2017 residential customers consumed 32 percent of electricity produced. Most residential electricity use is for refrigeration, water heating and space heating. Although there has been an increase in the types of technology that need electricity, appliances are generally becoming more efficient.

Compare how much homes in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch spend on different functions in their home. Including home much New Zealand homes spend on water heating, electronics, refrigeration, space heating, lighting, cooking and clothes drying.

Typical Household Electricity Usage in New Zealand

typical Kiwi household electricity usage


Compare Average Electricity Usage for Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch

If we look at an average power bill, here’s a breakdown of where the money in the bill is likely to be going. The majority of the electricity bill tends to go to water heating, electronics and refrigeration. 
 

  % of Bill

Auckland

Auckland North / West

Wellington

Christchurch

Average Electricity Bill Total

 

$2205

$2222

$2245

$2343

Water Heating

27%

 $595.35

 $599.94

 $606.15

 $632.61

Electronics and other electrical

20%

 $441.00

 $444.40

 $449.00

 $468.60

Refrigeration

17%

 $374.85

 $377.74

 $381.65

 $398.31

Space heating

15%

 $330.75

 $333.30

 $336.75

 $351.45

Lighting

13%

 $286.65

 $288.86

 $291.85

 $304.59

Cooking

5%

 $110.25

 $111.10

 $112.25

 $117.15

Clothes drying

3%

 $66.15

 $66.66

 $67.35

 $70.29

 

If you think that you are paying a little too much for your annual electricity bill, you can compare and find a better power deal.

Compare best power deals

Source: Electricity Authority

 

 

Related news
Nova Energy Dominates the NZ Compare Awards 2025, Celebrating the Best of Broadband, Power and Mobile
Now in their 9th year, the NZ Compare Awards have once again shone a spotlight on the best providers across broadband, power, and mobile...
04/12/2025
Who Made the Cut? Introducing the Finalists for the 2025 NZ Compare Awards
The finalists for the 2025 NZ Compare Awards have been revealed today, celebrating excellence across New Zealand’s broadband, energy and mobile sectors. Now in...
17/11/2025
Big Power Shake-Up: 3 New Reforms to Help Kiwis Pay Less for Electricity
Power prices have been climbing for years — and now the Electricity Authority has stepped in with new reforms aimed at bringing costs down....
19/08/2025