New connection
Adding a new connection? Connecting to Waipā Networks is easy. Here’s everything you need to know for your home or business connection.
Before getting started, make sure you contact an Energy Retailer to set up your account if you don’t have one already. Once that’s done, you’ll need to fill out an application form to begin the connection process.
What type of connection do you need?
Residential connection
Building a new house? Apply for a new residential connection at a property on our network.
Small subdivision
Subdividing? Apply for a small subdivision connection (1-2 sections) on our network.
Large subdivision
Developing? Apply for a larger subdivision connection (3+ sections) on our network.
Commercial/industrial
Are you a business? Apply for a new industrial or commercial connection on our network.
Changing connections?
Looking to increase or reduce the power supply of an existing connection on your property?
Have questions?
We’re here to help. Let us know if you have any questions about the connection process.
What’s next?
Once we’ve assessed your application, we’ll let you know if:
- There’s a suitable connection available and you can proceed, or
- Further work is required to make a connection available, or
- Further network design and construction work is required on our network to enable your connection.
Network design and further works (where required)
- If further network design/works are required, we’ll provide you with a quote and you’ll need to cover the costs of these works.
- Work can start once you’ve accepted our quote and made payment.
When your connection is ready to proceed, you’ll need to organise a service request with your chosen energy retailer for metering to be installed by their metering contractors.
Your electrician will certify your service main and also organise for the connection to be inspected and livened to the network. This can only be done by a Waipā Networks approved contractor.
Your electrician and the approved contractor will schedule an inspection of the work, connect and liven.
At this point, your energy retailer will begin billing you for your electricity.
FAQs
What are connection fees?
All new connections (or installation control point (ICP) connections) incur a connection fee. This helps us cover the costs of building and maintaining our network to ensure that you have a reliable service. Our team will advise you of any fee related to your new connection.
Why do we charge a connection fee?
Costs are incurred for new and upgraded connections to our network for a number of reasons, including to cover the connection itself, and manage demand on the overall network. Connections are either ‘standard’ or ‘non-standard’ (usually commercial or industrial connections).
What's a Standard connection?
Standard connections are the standard rate for connections less than 70kva is $2,372, excluding GST. Your retailer will confirm your connection once you have paid the fee.
What's a Non-standard connection?
Non-standard connections are ones where the requested load is greater than or equal to 70kva and/or 3-phase 160A for new and upgraded connections. In these cases, the new connection fee is $34 per kva. For example, a 1500kva connection would be charged a Connection Fee of 1500 x $34 = $51,000. This is in addition to any capital contribution costs for the physical connection.
How long does it take to get connected?
Connection timeframes vary depending on the complexity of the connection. A simple connection could take a couple of days with more complex connections taking a few weeks. Please allow as much time as possible for your application process.