Paul Fuge: Consumer Powerswitch Manager on high electricity prices, households overpaying for power

More than a million households could be overpaying for power this winter, as more Kiwis struggle to pay the bill at all. Around half of Kiwi households haven’t switched providers in five or more years, which is potentially costing them hundreds of extra dollars a year.  Consumer NZ says that sticking with the same provider can result in a “loyalty tax”, as better deals are often only offered to new customers.  Consumer Powerswitch Manager Paul Fuge told Kerre Woodham everyone grumbles about prices and their company, but they think it’s time something has to be done about prices.  He says it's causing harm to consumers and the economy, and it can’t keep going the way it is, so they've started a petition.  Fuge says that while some people have always struggled to pay their bills, the number of households struggling is increasing every year.  “Middle New Zealand is now struggling to pay their power bill, and that’s not acceptable.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.