When money is tight, the fastest gains in New Zealand usually come from the bills you pay every month: power, groceries, internet, phone and insurance. Switching a plan or a shop takes an afternoon, and the saving repeats every month after that.
Enter what you pay now and the best quote you can find in the calculator below to see your yearly saving. Further down you’ll find how to compare power plans, a grocery price checklist, the help you may be entitled to, and how to earn extra income without a surprise tax bill.
What you pay now and the best quote you found
Your yearly saving
The starting figures are examples only. Replace them with your own bills and the quotes you find, for example on Powerswitch for power or by asking your insurer for a better deal. Weekly amounts are converted to a year as 52 weeks, monthly amounts as 12 months.
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Power: how to compare plans and what to check on your bill
A power plan has two prices: a daily fixed charge and a price per kWh. Which plan is cheapest depends on how much power you use. Example with two made-up plans over 30 days:
| Usage per month | Plan A: $2.20 a day + 30c/kWh | Plan B: $1.40 a day + 34c/kWh | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 kWh (small household) | $186 | $178 | Plan B |
| 600 kWh | $246 | $246 | Same |
| 900 kWh (family, electric heating) | $336 | $348 | Plan A |
So don’t compare headline prices; compare your own usage.
- Find your usage: the kWh on your last 12 bills, or the usage data in your power company’s app. Winter and summer differ a lot.
- Compare on Powerswitch (powerswitch.org.nz), Consumer NZ’s free, independent comparison site. Enter your address and usage.
- Check the extras: prompt payment discounts, fixed-term contracts and exit fees, and whether the plan includes free hours or cheaper night rates you would actually use.
- Ask your current company to match the best quote before you switch. Switching itself is free and the new company arranges it.
- Behind on your power bill? Call the company early; they must work with you, and Work and Income may help with arrears. See WINZ advance payment.
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Groceries: a price checklist
Large supermarkets must show the unit price (for example per kg, per litre or per 100g) next to the shelf price. It is the fastest way to compare pack sizes and brands at Pak’nSave, Woolworths, New World and other big grocers.
| Example | Shelf price | Unit price |
|---|---|---|
| Rice, 500g pack | $3.50 | $7.00 per kg |
| Rice, 1kg pack | $6.00 | $6.00 per kg |
| Rice, 5kg bag | $24.00 | $4.80 per kg |
Prices are illustrative. Bigger isn’t always cheaper, especially when a smaller pack is on special, so always check the unit price.
- Plan meals for the week and shop from a list; most overspending comes from unplanned items.
- Compare your regular basket between two nearby supermarkets for a month; online shopping makes this easy to check.
- Try the store brand on staples such as flour, rice, pasta, canned tomatoes and cleaning products.
- Buy seasonal fruit and vegetables, and frozen vegetables when fresh prices are high.
- Use loyalty programmes only for things you were buying anyway.
- Check the receipt: if the price charged is higher than the shelf price, ask the store to fix it.
Saving $35 a week on groceries adds up to $1,820 a year.
Phone, internet, insurance and subscriptions: a yearly review checklist
| Bill | What to check |
|---|---|
| Mobile | How much data you actually use; a prepay plan may be enough. Check for family or multi-line discounts. |
| Internet | Whether you need the fastest speed; whether a bundle with power or mobile is really cheaper. Check contract end dates. |
| Insurance | Get two other quotes before renewal; compare cover and excess, not just price. A higher excess lowers the premium. |
| Subscriptions | List everything on your bank statement; cancel what you didn’t use last month; rotate streaming services instead of keeping all of them. |
| Bank fees | Account fees, overdraft fees and card fees; ask the bank to move you to a no-fee account. |
Help you may be entitled to
| Help | Who it’s for | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Energy Payment | People on NZ Super, Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment and some other benefits. Paid 1 May to 1 October: $20.46 a week for a single person, $31.82 for couples or people with children. | Automatic, no need to apply |
| Accommodation Supplement | People with high rent, board or mortgage costs and a low income, working or not | Check eligibility with Work and Income |
| Working for Families | Families with dependent children, depending on income | Through Inland Revenue |
| Recoverable Assistance or an advance | Essential costs you can’t pay, interest free | Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 |
| MoneyTalks | Anyone who wants help with a budget or debts | Free on 0800 345 123 |
Many working people don’t know they qualify for help with housing costs or Working for Families. Checking takes a phone call and can be worth far more than any bill switch.
Earning extra income: side hustles and the tax rules
| Side income | Typical start-up cost | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Selling things you no longer need | None | Selling your own personal items is usually not taxable; buying to resell is a business |
| Delivery or rideshare driving | Car, fuel, insurance | Self-employed income; keep records of costs |
| Pet sitting, dog walking, lawns, cleaning | Low | Self-employed income |
| Renting a room or a short-stay listing | Furnishing, cleaning | Rental income; special rules apply, check with Inland Revenue |
| A second part-time job | None | Taxed through PAYE; use the right secondary tax code |
- The $200 rule: if you receive more than $200 of income with no tax deducted, you need to tell Inland Revenue and file an individual tax return (IR3) for the year.
- Put tax aside from every payment, for example 20–30% in a separate account, so the end-of-year bill isn’t a shock.
- Keep receipts for costs related to the work; you can claim business expenses on the IR3.
- On a benefit? Tell Work and Income about any extra income; it can affect your payments.
- Be wary of “earn from home” offers that ask you to pay first or recruit others.
Where to put the money you save
- Arrears first: rent, power and anything that could lead to eviction or disconnection.
- A small buffer: even $500 means a car repair or school bill doesn’t need a loan.
- The most expensive debt: store cards at about 29% or high-cost loans; see debt consolidation NZ.
- Then build savings for known yearly costs: WOF, registration, insurance, Christmas.
Need money now despite cutting back? Compare the real cost first in cash loans NZ, and check loans for beneficiaries NZ if you’re on a benefit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the cheapest power company in NZ?
Use Powerswitch with your own yearly usage. The cheapest plan depends on how much power you use and when.
Which supermarket is cheapest in NZ?
It depends on what you buy and where you live. Compare your own regular basket and use the unit price on the shelf label.
Do I pay tax on my side hustle?
If you earn more than $200 with no tax deducted, you need to tell Inland Revenue and file an IR3 return.
Do I need to apply for the Winter Energy Payment?
No. If you qualify, it is paid automatically with your benefit or NZ Super from 1 May to 1 October.
Can I get help with bills if I’m working?
Possibly. Working people on lower incomes may qualify for the Accommodation Supplement, Working for Families or Recoverable Assistance.
Conclusion
The cost of living in New Zealand bites hardest on the bills you pay every month, and that’s also where you can win back the most. Compare your power plan with your own usage, use unit prices at the supermarket, review phone, internet and insurance once a year, and check the help you’re entitled to. Any extra income is welcome, but keep tax aside. Use the savings to clear arrears and expensive debt first, so the next unexpected bill doesn’t need a loan.
