Media release
More than 13,000 members rated the performance of their electricity provider in Consumer NZ’s annual survey. Two companies clearly led the field – Powershop and Energy Direct NZ.
Powershop only started up in February but it has achieved the highest rating recorded in five years of Consumer surveys. 92 percent of its customers rated its performance “good” or “very good”.
Powershop is an online shop that lets you buy blocks of electricity from different suppliers. Members found the website easy to use and liked the ability to monitor their electricity usage and control their spending on power.
Energy Direct NZ has rated among the top four companies in previous Consumer surveys. This year it was well clear of the rest with an 82 percent rating. Monthly power bills based on an actual reading were a big plus for its customers.
The overall rating for electricity companies was 65 percent. Trailing the field with ratings below 60 percent were Empower, Genesis Energy and Contact Energy. These companies have performed poorly in previous surveys but a surprise newcomer to the “below-average” group was Meridian Energy. Its rating plunged from 74 percent in 2008 to 62 percent this year. Members complained it was difficult to communicate with this company – and its “smart” meters weren’t so smart.
These days more people are refusing to put up with high prices and poor service. More than 1800 people, 14.3 percent of respondents, had changed suppliers during the previous 12 months, compared with the 6.8 percent in the 2005 survey who said they’d switched.
Gas suppliers
For the first time this year Consumer NZ also asked members to rate the performance of their gas company.
Among suppliers of reticulated gas, Energy Direct NZ led the rankings with 83 percent of its customers rating its performance “good” or “very good”, followed by Nova Energy and Mercury Energy with 75 percent and 74 percent.
Auckland Gas, Contact Energy and Genesis rated below the overall average of 66 percent.
Suppliers of gas in 45 kg cylinders rated well – between 71 percent and 81 percent. Nova Energy led the rankings and the overall average was 77 percent.
- Energy providers - our full report.
- Consumer Powerswitch
Member Comments
Got a question or comment on this topic? Share your views and experiences with other Consumer members...
To add a comment you need to be a member of consumer.org.nz. Login or Join.
Read what our members have to say close
To save money on essentials and make buying decisions easy, you can't go past Consumer. We're proud to have over 65,000 members all enjoying our independent information online or in Consumer magazine.
Here's what some of them say...
"Just wanted to let you know that I find your site excellent! Easy to find my way around, everything at my fingertips - just a click away.
I only took out a 3 month membership as I wasn't sure but it is actually really easy to use and if I want it on paper I can print the
reports. Thanks again".
Denise Watkinson - Waitakere
"My mother (74) got a renewal letter from her insurance company for her car insurance, wanting $570. After reading
your article on car insurance, I contacted one of the companies you recommended, who quoted her $318 for the same
level of cover. I just wanted to stay thank you very much for your article, as it has saved my mother a substantial amount of money".
Adrian Lane - Kapiti Coast
"I've been a member to the magazine since 1997 and enjoy reading it a lot. I've found lots of helpful information on different issues...
Thank you for being so helpful".
Peter Kovalenko - Porirua
"I have been a member of the Consumer NZ for 20 or more years and have enjoyed much reliable advice.
I turn to their tests before making significant purchases".
Lyndal Print – Auckland
Join Consumer now and make your decisions easy on a huge range of products and services
- Over 500 reports, plus interactive tools and calculators
- Independent advice from NZ's trusted source of information
- Join over 65,000 members who help us get all NZers a fairer deal
from just $28
my neighbour has just had a new advanced meter installed by genesis.
her meter is next to my office on the outside wall and now my cordless phone is buzzing and my wireless is not working as it was. Coincidence?
I'm with powershop and very happy - especially as we don't have to have an "advanced meter" as well
I think this survey needs surveying.
We are with Contact Energy and it is still a better deal than Powershop and Energy Direct NZ.
Basically Consumer no longer adds up any more with its few surveys and is not worth my subscription next year.
Thank you for your comment.
Our survey asked members to rate the performance of their provider, considering aspects such as readings,estimates,communications and other services. Energy Direct and Powershop had the highest ratings of 92 and 82 percent. Only 59 percent of Contact customers rated its performance as good or very good. With over 2000 Contact customer respondents and a margin of error of 2 percent it rated significantly worse than the average for all companies (65 percent).
The company providing the best deal on price will vary according to the location and circumstances of each customer. You can use Consumer Powerswitch to find the best deal on offer for your household.
Regards
Bev Frederikson
Survey supervisor
I appreciate surveys conducted. Who better to survey than the customer.Carry on the good work