Kiwis shocked by electricity bills switch to cheaper suppliers.

New Zealanders are shopping for new power suppliers - what's the best way to save on your bills?

Opening your power bill and feeling your jaw hit the floor is a familiar feeling to most of us - especially at this time of the year. With over 500,000 Kiwis having already visited whatsmynumber.org.nz to find out how much they could save by changing supplier, shopping around for power is becoming the norm.

According to Consumer NZ Chief Executive Sue Chetwin, switching is still the best way to reduce high winter bills. Each New Zealand household could save on average $165 per year just by switching to a cheaper power company, and many could save hundreds more.

"Every year New Zealanders spend $280 million more on power than we need to, just by being with the wrong suppliers. A few minutes spent at the whatsmynumber.org.nz website will tell consumers how much they could save. It's very quick and easy." said Mrs Chetwin.

Once consumers have found their savings, Consumer NZ's Powerswitch site can be used to see what deals are available, and people can easily make the switch to a new power company. It's a straightforward, largely automated process that can be completed in just a few minutes.

"We urge every Kiwi household to get online and find out what they could save. It's the easiest way to cut your power bills and the sooner you do it, the sooner you'll start saving."

www.whatsmynumber.org.nz and www.powerswitch.org.nz are independent sites maintained by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Consumer NZ and the Electricity Authority.

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