FAQs

Yes. Your new retailer will organise the switching process for you. For more information on the switching process visit Powerswitch  

Contact your retailer (the company you pay your power bill to). 

Your retailer (the company you pay your power bill to) is responsible for your meter. 

Powerco is a lines company (also called a distributor). A lines company owns the network of lines and cables that bring electricity from Transpower (the National Grid) to the boundary of your property. A retailer is the company you pay your power bill to. About 25% of your power bill is passed on to us by your retailer so we can ensure your power is safe, reliable and resilient. Learn more about how electricity gets to you here. 

You can find a map of lines companies on the Electricity Network Authority website 

You can find a list of retailers on the Powerswitch website 

Contact your retailer (the company you pay your power bill to).

Yes, you can get the work done at your cost. Contact a Powerco-approved contractor for a quote. Find a Powerco-approved contractor 

Our poles have an identification number. If there’s a pole on your land without an identification number it’s probably owned by you or your neighbour. If you’re unsure, you can get in touch with us at 0800 POWERCO (769 372). 

We usually own all the equipment up to the boundary of your property, and any transformer or high voltage switchgear on your property. We’re responsible for the maintenance, operation and replacement of our equipment.  

You own the overhead service line or underground cable that gets power from the boundary of your property (or other point of supply) to the power meter. It’s your responsibility to maintain your service line or cable. 

Your retailer (the company you pay your power bill to) usually owns the meter. 

If you’re unsure who owns lines or other electrical equipment on your property, please contact us on 0800 POWERCO (769 372). 

We charge repair costs when anyone damages our network. That includes if a tree you own drops onto lines or equipment, if you hit Powerco equipment with a vehicle, or if you’re transporting a high load and you bring down lines. We’ll send an invoice for the repair costs to you or your insurer.

It’s not possible to have our entire network underground. In some parts of our network the ground is too hard, there’s a lake or river we can’t go under, or it’s too hilly or remote. It also costs significantly more to put cables underground than it does to construct overhead lines.