Pricing Information
Unison is proudly consumer owned and delivers power to over 119,000 homes, farms and businesses across Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua and Taupō. We’re dedicated to providing our customers with a safe, reliable and resilient power supply, today and into the future.
From 1 April 2025 electricity distribution lines charges will increase to cover the costs of delivering electricity to our customers.
Upcoming Price Increases
From 1 April 2025, our prices will change to support infrastructure upgrades and meet regulatory requirements. While the exact impact varies based on individual consumption and retailer plans, we estimate an average increase of 23% on the distribution portion of your bill (around $14/month for an average household).
For personalised information, please contact your electricity retailer or visit our FAQs section for more information.
As an essential service, the affordability of electricity is important. While continued investment is required to maintain a secure and reliable supply of electricity, we are conscious of the impact that investment costs have on our communities and customers.
Reducing the impact of rising prices
Shopping around for the best deals from electricity retailers is a good way to reduce your power bill. Prices can vary significantly across different suppliers; switching is easy and usually takes less than 10 days. For more information visit www.powerswitch.org.nz.
Unison has partnered with the EnergyMate programme which gives communities advice on how to heat their homes in an affordable way, use appliances efficiently and keep their home warm. For some helpful tips on how to save energy visit here.
Learn more about EnergyMate at www.energymate.nz
Local budget advisors and the Citizens Advice Bureau can also help you find cheaper electricity providers or better pricing plans.
Getting the Power to You
Unison, owns and operates the electricity network that distributes electricity to Hawke’s Bay, Taupō and Rotorua. Unison Networks is one of 27 electricity distribution businesses (lines companies) that is responsible for distributing power from the national grid to homes and businesses. The electricity network is over 9,000km in length, and supplies around 119,000 connection points with approximately 1,590 GWh of electricity per annum, making Unison the fifth largest distributor in New Zealand.
Investing in a Resilient Network
Maintaining the network requires ongoing investment, especially as ageing infrastructure, climate change, inflation, and interest rates increase costs.
Preparing for a Cleaner Energy Future
As more homes and businesses shift from fossil fuels to electricity, demand will rise. Unison is investing in capacity to support this transition while ensuring reliability and sustainability.
Keeping Costs Fair
Unison balances necessary investments with cost impacts on consumers and works within regulations to ensure efficient, prudent spending that benefits all customers.
Understanding your electricity bill
Your electricity bill includes three main costs:
- Charges from Transpower, the national grid operator.
- Charges from Unison, your local electricity distributor.
- The cost of the electricity you use, charged by your electricity retailer.
The diagram below shows a simplified view of the costs that make up your electricity bill. Your actual bill might differ a bit based on the electricity retailer you choose, their discounts, how much electricity you use, and the pricing category you're in.
For help with pricing categories and terms, the Electricity Networks Association has a helpful guide.
How does Unison set prices?
Unison’s pricing is regulated by the Commerce Commission, requiring transparency in our pricing schedules and methodology.
Our pricing schedules outline the electricity line charges included in your bill from your provider. Our pricing methodology, disclosed under the Electricity Distribution Information Disclosure Determination 2012 , explains how we set prices annually and align with the Electricity Authority’s pricing principles and guidelines.
Learn more here Pricing Disclosures
Understanding the electricity industry
Generators
Electricity is generated around New Zealand, with the majority coming from renewable sources like hydro dams and wind farms.
Transmission
Electricity is transmitted to regions across New Zealand by the National Grid.
Distribution
Unison takes power from the National Grid, and distributes it across the region.
Retailers
Electricity retailers manage customer needs and invoicing of electricity costs. The invoice includes transmission charges from Transpower, and line charges from Unison.