The cost of living in New Zealand has been climbing fast, with power prices near the top of the list. According to MBIE data, electricity costs have risen by more than 80% in the last 30 years, and Kiwis are now paying some of the highest residential power prices in the OECD. For many households, the monthly power bill is eating a bigger chunk of the budget than ever before.
Faced with this reality, some Kiwis are choosing a different path: going off-grid.
The Cost of Staying Plugged In.
Whether you live in town or the wop-wops, being tied to the national grid comes with ongoing costs. Urban households feel the sting through ever-climbing unit rates, while rural families face even bigger hurdles. In some remote parts of the country, the cost to connect to the grid can go from $20,000 to unbelievable 6 digits, before you’ve even switched a light on. Add in monthly lines charges, and the numbers only go one way. Up and up.
Off-Grid Living: Powering Yourself, Not the Power Companies.
Going off-grid means producing your own electricity. Most often through solar power, backed up by batteries and a generator for those consecutive rainy days. Once your system is set up, you’re no longer sending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars a year to a power retailer.
Take the average Kiwi household power bill of around $250 per month - that’s $3,000 a year, or $30,000 over a decade. With electricity prices rising faster than inflation, the savings from going off-grid can be even greater. Instead of paying for power forever, you’re investing in a system that pays for itself and keeps delivering year after year.
Michael Andrews, a GridFree customer from Raglan, bought a bare block of land. The previous owner told him the local power company had quoted about $200,000 to connect it to the grid. Michael didn’t think twice. He purchased the Tui Kit from us instead, and had his dad (an electrician) help with the installation.
More Than Just Saving Money.
Kiwis have always valued independence, and going off-grid is the ultimate expression of that. No more worrying about power cuts, price hikes, or the latest news about infrastructure shortages. You’re in control of your own supply, whether you’re on a lifestyle block in Waikato, a bach in the Far North, or a homestead deep in the West Coast bush.
The shift often inspires other lifestyle changes too. Many off-gridders choose to collect rainwater, grow their own veges, and use their resources more mindfully. It’s not just about saving money. It’s about living smarter and lighter.
Resilience in an Uncertain World.
From cyclones to supply chain disruptions, Kiwis have seen how quickly normal life can be thrown off track. Off-grid households are less vulnerable to these shocks, with the ability to keep the lights on, the fridge cold, and the kettle boiling no matter what’s happening beyond the fence.
After Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, our customer Tom Dewes from the Gisborne coastal region was deeply grateful for his GridFree solar system, which kept his family safe and secure through the storms.
A Practical Move for Today’s New Zealand.
Going off-grid in New Zealand is no longer just for a select bunch. With technology improving, costs coming down, and electricity prices going up, it’s becoming a smart financial and lifestyle choice for everyday Kiwis.
It’s a way to take control, cut costs, and live on your own terms, all while building a more sustainable future.
Because at the end of the day, if you can power yourself, you can free yourself.
Thinking about going off-grid? Have a chat with us.
We can help about off-grid solar so you take the first step toward energy independence.