Toast Electric

Toast Electric is New Zealand’s only not-for-profit electricity retailer, with a focus on social equity and a fair energy future for everyone. Toast is operated by Wellington-based Sustainability Trust, who has been supporting households in energy hardship with practical solutions for more than 20 years.

Four people sitting on a hillside at sunset, looking out over the ocean, with the text ‘Power for people, not profit.'
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Anyone can join Toast Electric - with competitive pricing, friendly customer service and a great kaupapa on offer. Toast’s social-enterprise model means that 100% of profits from general-income customers go right back to supporting those living with low income. Toast is available in Wellington, Hutt, Porirua, Kāpiti, Wairarapa, Horowhenua as well as Christchurch and mid-Canterbury.

Products

  • Electricity
  • Time-of-use options
  • EV Tariffs

Rewards, offers or loyalty benefits

The Power to Do Good: by joining Toast, you can support others in your community, just by paying your regular power bill. For Toast’s general income customers, everything functions exactly like a normal power company—with a bonus of supporting your neighbours.

Those living with low-income are referred to Toast’s Energy Wellbeing programme. They benefit from reduced power rates over winter and are also guaranteed a lower everyday electricity cost than they were paying with their previous supplier.

In addition, Energy Wellbeing households receive support to create a warm, dry, healthy home through a personalised Home Energy Check by Sustainability Trust (currently only available in the lower North Island). The Home Energy Check provides free items, access to free or subsidised home upgrades, referrals to other support services and lots of helpful tips to create a warmer, drier home.

Billing and payments options

  • Direct Debit (default)
  • SmoothPay (on request)
  • WINZ redirects available for Energy Wellbeing customers

Support for Medically Dependent Customers (MDCs)

If you think you need power for equipment that is essential to your health and wellbeing, please email hello@toastelectric.nz to register as a Medically Dependent Customer. We’ll send you more information and a form for your GP or health professional to sign.

Once we have accepted your application, you’ll be entered on our Medically Dependent Register. Being registered provides you with a couple of benefits:

We will not disconnect your power for non-payment of electricity.

We will give you advance warning of any power outages that have been notified by your lines company or the company that owns the meter and work with them to try and reduce any disruption. We try and give at least four days' notice of this.

However, there are cases where there are power outages outside of our control. You will need to ensure you have a backup plan for these unexpected events.

24/7 Outage hotline: 0800 688 243 (0800 OUTAGE)

Customer Care Policy: Click hereExternal Link, opens in a new tab

Support for customers facing hardship

Toast’s Energy Wellbeing programme is open to households living with low income who are clients of a partner budget advice agency. These agencies can support clients with budgeting and social support and onboard directly to Toast Electric. You can talk to your local budget advice agency (www.Fincap.org.nzExternal Link, opens in a new tab) and see if they are a referral partner, or contact Toast for the names of partner agencies in your area.

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