Consumer calls on Kiwis to sign petition on soaring power prices

Consumer NZ is calling on 100,000 New Zealanders to sign its petition demanding government action on soaring power prices and back its four-point plan to fight for cheaper power.

“In just two years, electricity prices have surged 20%, and many households across New Zealand are feeling the strain,” says Jon Duffy, Consumer chief executive. 

Consumer research found one in four households struggled to pay their power bills in the past year, and over half of New Zealanders are concerned about the cost of their household’s energy. 

In the year to April 2026, over 30,000 households had their power cut because they couldn’t afford to pay their bills and one in 10 people took out a loan to pay a power bill.

“In a country powered mostly by cheap renewable electricity, more than a million households should not be worrying about the cost of energy. But that’s the reality,” says Duffy. 

Earlier this year, the major electricity companies reported combined half-year profits of more than half a billion dollars. 

“While the big power companies rake in hundreds of millions in profits, more and more people can’t afford to heat their homes properly. Last year alone, more than 30,000 households were disconnected because they couldn’t pay their power bills,” says Duffy. 

Consumer’s four-point plan sets out the changes needed to bring power bills down. 

• End the dominance of the big four power companies
• Make power prices reflect real costs
• Invest in more homegrown energy
• Set a long-term plan together

“You can’t untie this knot with one pull,” says Duffy. “Fixing the electricity sector will take action on multiple fronts. Right now, the market is delivering for power companies, not people – and that must change.”  

The petition will be open until mid-August and you can click here to submit:  https://campaigns.consumer.org.nz/end-high-power-prices-now