Billing & Payments
What payment options are available with Electric Kiwi?
Direct Debit / Recurring Payment
During our secure sign-up process, you can add your preferred bank account or card details for payment. We'll automatically debit the amount owing each fortnight, month, or week on whichever day suits you best. Everything's sorted online, so no paper forms are required.
We'll email your bill at least two business days before payment is due, and the amount will be based on your actual electricity usage.
There is no surcharge for Direct Debit payments from a bank account. If you opt for recurring payments from your credit or debit card, a 0.75% surcharge will apply to each bill. Your bank may charge you for direct debit authorisation, check with them if you're unsure.
Instant payments
You can also make instant payments using a credit or debit card, or your bank account. No surcharge applies for these instant payments.
For more info see our payment options and service fees pages.
During our secure sign-up process, you can add your preferred bank account or card details for payment. We'll automatically debit the amount owing each fortnight, month, or week on whichever day suits you best. Everything's sorted online, so no paper forms are required.
We'll email your bill at least two business days before payment is due, and the amount will be based on your actual electricity usage.
There is no surcharge for Direct Debit payments from a bank account. If you opt for recurring payments from your credit or debit card, a 0.75% surcharge will apply to each bill. Your bank may charge you for direct debit authorisation, check with them if you're unsure.
Instant payments
You can also make instant payments using a credit or debit card, or your bank account. No surcharge applies for these instant payments.
For more info see our payment options and service fees pages.
Why do I have a transaction from Electric Kiwi?
On the day your first service gets connected we will be deducting a $4.99 Payment Authentication to verify your payment method. This will be credited back on your first bill.
Does Electric Kiwi have any other ways to help me budget?
Absolutely!
Choose when you pay
Pick weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payments. We'll schedule payments for the day that works for you.
Stay Ahead
With Stay Ahead, your account tops up automatically when your balance hits zero. You set your top-up amount ($50 or more), we handle the rest. Stay Ahead has zero surcharges on all payments.
Instant Payments and Balance Alerts.
Top up your account anytime or set a balance alert, and we'll let you know if charges go over your chosen amount.
For budgeting advice, bill-saving tips, and available support, check out our Consumer care page.
Choose when you pay
Pick weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payments. We'll schedule payments for the day that works for you.
Stay Ahead
With Stay Ahead, your account tops up automatically when your balance hits zero. You set your top-up amount ($50 or more), we handle the rest. Stay Ahead has zero surcharges on all payments.
Instant Payments and Balance Alerts.
Top up your account anytime or set a balance alert, and we'll let you know if charges go over your chosen amount.
For budgeting advice, bill-saving tips, and available support, check out our Consumer care page.
How often will Electric Kiwi send a bill, and where will it be sent to?
We'll email your first fortnightly bill two weeks after the date your switch to Electric Kiwi completed. If you would prefer to receive your bill each week or each month you can update your billing cycle at any time by simply logging into your online account or app.
To keep our prices low, bills can only be received via email to the email address specified for your account.
To keep our prices low, bills can only be received via email to the email address specified for your account.
Why is my power bill higher than last month?
Your bill will more than likely be higher because you have used more electricity. You are charged based on the amount of electricity used per month/fortnight/week depending on your billing cycle. In general, you will use more electricity in the winter months than summer, so your bill will be higher during these times.
If you would like to understand your electricity usage more, log in to your Electric Kiwi account at any time to see your daily usage. There's also some handy info on our consumer care page. If you're still unsure, just contact us.
I need a copy of my last bill but can't find it in my email, what should I do?
No worries! Just log in to your Electric Kiwi account on the website or with our app to find your payments history. You can download any of your previous bills at any time. Otherwise just contact us and we'll help you out.
Does Electric Kiwi offer smooth pay?
Electric Kiwi does not currently offer a smooth pay option, instead our customers have the choice to pay for their electricity on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.
How can I auto top-up my account balance with the Stay Ahead option?
At Electric Kiwi, we have a simple way for you to keep your balance positive.
The Stay Ahead payment option is available in the app or online account, simply activate Stay Ahead and set the top-up amount. You can turn off the Stay Ahead option whenever it suits you.
If you choose to turn Stay Ahead on, your account will top-up automatically when your balance reaches $0.00. You set the top-up amount at $50 or greater and we do the rest.
Stay Ahead has the added benefit of zero fees (that's right - no surcharges!) across both direct debit and credit card payments.
The Stay Ahead payment option is available in the app or online account, simply activate Stay Ahead and set the top-up amount. You can turn off the Stay Ahead option whenever it suits you.
If you choose to turn Stay Ahead on, your account will top-up automatically when your balance reaches $0.00. You set the top-up amount at $50 or greater and we do the rest.
Stay Ahead has the added benefit of zero fees (that's right - no surcharges!) across both direct debit and credit card payments.
Can I request a refund for my WINZ payments?
We no longer process refund requests into nominated accounts for WINZ redirections. Instead, these payments will be reversed back to the original account paid from. However, MSD has confirmed that their clients can contact them to arrange a payment for any reversed balances.
Customers have two options to choose from if their account is active and in credit:
Customers have two options to choose from if their account is active and in credit:
- We can reverse the balance back to the Ministry of Social Development/ Work and Income New Zealand.
- You can keep your account with us in credit, which will then go towards your bills.
Are there other charges I could be billed for?
There are additional costs for specific services that are not part of your normal supply costs. The charges are based on the additional cost of each service (incl. GST). For a detailed look at these charges see here.
What card provider can I use to pay?
If you choose to pay by debit or credit card, we accept Visa, Mastercard, and Amex.
How long does it take for my payment to clear?
It depends how you pay:
Direct debit:
Can take up to 3 business days (or 5 calendar days) to fully clear and show on your account.
Credit card / debit card:
Usually instant. You'll normally see the payment reflected on your balance straight away.
Account‑to‑account (A2A / bank transfer via our payment page):
Usually instant.
Direct debit:
Can take up to 3 business days (or 5 calendar days) to fully clear and show on your account.
Credit card / debit card:
Usually instant. You'll normally see the payment reflected on your balance straight away.
Account‑to‑account (A2A / bank transfer via our payment page):
Usually instant.
Why does my direct debit take longer to clear?
Unlike a recurring card payment, direct debits are processed by the banking system in batches, so your payment can take a few days to fully clear.
My payment is pending but my bill shows as overdue. Will I be disconnected?
If you've made a payment and it's within the normal clearance time:
Direct debit: up to 3 business days / 5 calendar days
Card or Account to Account: usually instant
We won't disconnect you just because your payment hasn't fully cleared yet.
If you've received a disconnection notice and you're unsure whether your payment has gone through, please get in touch with us and we'll check it for you.
Direct debit: up to 3 business days / 5 calendar days
Card or Account to Account: usually instant
We won't disconnect you just because your payment hasn't fully cleared yet.
If you've received a disconnection notice and you're unsure whether your payment has gone through, please get in touch with us and we'll check it for you.
I paid by card / A2A and still can't see it. What should I do?
Card and A2A payments usually update your balance straight away. If you don't see the payment:
- Double‑check your bank or card statement to confirm it was processed.
- If it's showing as paid at your bank but not on your Electric Kiwi account, contact us so we can look into it.
How can I check if my payment has gone through?
You can:
- Log in to your Electric Kiwi account and check your latest balance and payment history.
- Check your bank or card statement for the transaction.
- If something doesn't look right, get in touch and we'll help you sort it.
What counts as a "business day" for payment clearance?
Business days are Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Weekends and public holidays don't count towards the 3‑business‑day direct debit timeframe, which is why we also say it can be up to 5 calendar days in total.
Where can I find more info about billing, fees, payment difficulties or tips on lowering my power bill?
Our consumer care page is a great place to start. You'll find information on billing options, fees, payment support and plenty of tips to help keep your power bill down, along with a bunch of other handy stuff.
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For connection issues head over to our outages page.