New Zealand

Getting Electricity in

New Zealand

Below is a detailed summary of the procedures, time and cost required for a business to obtain an electricity connection for a newly constructed building in New Zealand.

This information was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 185 economies. The most recent round of data collection was completed in June 2012.

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  • Standardized Company

  • Name of Utility: Vector Limited
  • City: Auckland

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No. Procedure Time to Complete Associated Costs
1 Customer contacts the line company (distribution utility), Vector, and requests a new connection account, and Vector contractor does site visit to prepare estimate

Vector is the lines company servicing the greater Auckland Region. Vector installs and maintains the reticulation network which is generally located within the public domain and carries out the works necessary to connect customers. Vector charges the customer monthly line charges according to published rates. These are recovered by the customer's chosen retailer through the retailer's invoice.

Once Vector receives the request for a new connection through the Vector call centre or direct contact, the request is dispatched to the service provider (contractor) who manages the Vector Network in that region. (zone) Vector's area is divided into two zones, each managed by a private service provider.

Procedure 2 may be undertaken without reference to a retailer. i.e.. It is not necessary for the customer to contact the retailer before arranging a quotation and connection. A retailer contract must only be in place before livening of the supply.
Agency: Vector Electricity Network 		21 calendar days no charge
* 2 Submit application for electricity connection with retailer (Mercury Energy) and receive, sign and submit electricity supply contract.

Application can be submitted via faxed form or via telephone with the business center. The business team then runs a credit check on the customer. Depending on the credit check, the retailer will decide whether the customer has to provide a bond or not. This supply contract can be received either online or by mail (as per customer’s instructions). It can be signed, scanned and sent back or mailed back. The customer has a choice of some 8 retailers. Mercury is the encumbant retailer in the Auckland (Vector) area.

Agency: Mercury Energy 		6 calendar days NZD 240.0
3 Receive quotation from Vector via email, and make payment online and Vector conducts external connection works

This estimate allows for network reinforcement plus the cost of the connection itself which will be located at a pillar on the road boundary of the property. Vector conducts all external works.
Agency: Vector Electricity Network 		15 calendar days NZD 35,000.0
4 Electrician provides Certificate of compliance (CoC) to retailer and requests meter installation

Electrician must issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) to customer and retailer when doing any fixed wiring work, including fitting new power points. CoC's are not issued for maintenance work, such as replacing sockets and light fittings or repairing appliances. The CoC indicates that the work done is electrically safe and has been carried out in accordance with New Zealand’s electrical safety standards and codes. It also shows they have tested their work once completed. A CoC guarantees that the work has been completed by a licensed electrician; meets safety standards set by law, and has been tested. The retailer has private meter distribution contractors who do the installation
Agency: Electrician 		8 calendar days no charge
5 Customer contacts Vector and requests and receives final inspection and electricity is turned on

The customer, electrician or retailer requests livening of the supply. Vector will then inspect the COC before livening the supply through to the customer fuse pillar on the boundary. The inspector will then liven the customer premises when the installation is complete, including the meter installation.
Agency: Vector Electricity Network 		6 calendar days no charge
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
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