Terms & Conditions
1. Definitions
1.1"You" and "Your" means the person who uses or accesses the Website or Services.
1.2"We", "Us", and "Our" means Switch Me Limited (trading as Switchme), a company registered in New Zealand and operating from Christchurch, New Zealand, including its employees, agents, successors, and any person to whom We may transfer Our rights under these Terms.
1.3"Website" means www.switchme.co.nz and all associated pages on this domain.
1.4"Services" means the comparison, referral, and switching facilitation services we provide through the Website and by telephone.
1.5"Retailer" means an energy, broadband, mobile, or LPG provider listed or compared on our Website.
1.6"Switch" means the process by which we submit your personal details to a Retailer of your choosing for the purpose of them completing your account signup or transfer.
2. About Our Service
2.1Switchme provides a free comparison service that allows residential and business customers to compare pricing and offers from participating energy, broadband, mobile, and LPG retailers operating in New Zealand.
2.2Switchme is a comparison and referral service. We are not a retailer, broker, or agent for any Retailer featured on our Website. We do not enter into energy, broadband, or other service contracts on your behalf, and we are not a party to any agreement between you and a Retailer.
2.3Our service is provided free of charge to residential customers. A fee applies to commercial customers — see clause 16.
2.4We may receive fees or commissions from Retailers when customers successfully switch through our platform. This does not affect the objectivity of our comparisons.
3. Use of the Website
3.1You agree to use the Website only for lawful purposes and in a manner consistent with these Terms.
3.2You will not do anything that compromises the security or integrity of the Website, interferes with its operation, or causes unreasonable inconvenience to our staff or other users.
3.3You will not attempt to access areas of the Website or systems that you are not authorised to access, or use automated tools to scrape or extract data from the Website without our written permission.
4. Your Obligations
4.1To use our comparison service, you will be required to provide certain information about yourself and your property or account. You should answer all questions accurately and to the best of your knowledge.
4.2The accuracy of your comparison results depends on the accuracy of the information you provide. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information may result in less accurate estimates or an unsuccessful switch.
4.3Before completing a Switch, you are responsible for verifying that all information you have provided is correct and up to date.
5. Accuracy of Estimates
5.1The price estimates and comparisons generated by our tool are based on the information you provide and the pricing data supplied to us by Retailers. They are intended as a guide only and are not a guarantee of the price you will pay.
5.2Actual prices may vary depending on your usage, meter type, location, network charges, and the specific terms applied by the Retailer.
5.3We make reasonable efforts to ensure our pricing data is current and accurate, but we do not warrant that it is complete, error-free, or updated in real time. Prices and offers are subject to change by Retailers at any time.
6. How the Switching Process Works
6.1When you select a Retailer and choose to proceed with a Switch, you will be asked to provide your personal information and confirm your switch. Upon confirmation, we will transmit your personal details to the Retailer you have selected.
6.2The Retailer will then contact you or otherwise process your signup in accordance with their own terms and conditions. The contract for supply is between you and the Retailer — Switchme is not a party to that contract.
6.3Before confirming your Switch, you should read the Retailer's own terms and conditions. Retailers may make certain assumptions about your account setup. It is your responsibility to check and confirm these assumptions, as they may affect the terms of your contract with the Retailer.
6.4We accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or problems that arise in connection with your contract with a Retailer, or for any failure by a Retailer to complete or honour a switch.
7. Your Consent to Data Sharing
7.1By completing the switching process on our Website, you consent to us transmitting your personal information to the Retailer you have selected for the purpose of completing your switch.
7.2You acknowledge that once your information has been transmitted to a Retailer, that Retailer's own privacy policy and data practices will govern how they handle your information.
7.3Where the switching process includes a tick-box relating to a Retailer's own terms and conditions, by ticking that box you are entering into a direct agreement with that Retailer. We are not responsible for the terms of that agreement.
7.4For further information about how we collect, store, use, and share your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy at www.switchme.co.nz/privacy-policy.
8. Marketing Communications
8.1By using our Services and providing your contact details, you acknowledge that we may contact you from time to time by phone or email with information about products, offers, or services that may be relevant to you, including offers from Retailers we work with.
8.2We will seek your explicit consent to receive marketing communications at the point of completing a switch or enquiry. You may indicate your preference by ticking or unticking the relevant consent box on our Website.
8.3You may withdraw your consent to receive marketing communications at any time by contacting us at [email protected], calling 03 371 9451, or using the unsubscribe link in any marketing email we send. We will process all opt-out requests within 5 working days.
8.4We comply with the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007. We will not send you unsolicited commercial electronic messages if you have opted out.
9. Intellectual Property
9.1All content on this Website, including text, graphics, logos, comparison tools, and data, is the property of Switch Me Limited or our licensors and is protected by New Zealand and international copyright laws.
9.2You may view and use the content on this Website for personal, non-commercial purposes only. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or commercially exploit any content from this Website without our prior written consent.
10. Liability and Disclaimers
10.1Our Website and Services are provided on an 'as is' basis. To the extent permitted by law, we make no representations or warranties of any kind — express or implied — about the accuracy, completeness, reliability, suitability, or availability of the Website or its contents.
10.2We do not warrant that the Website will be available at all times, free from errors, or free from viruses or malicious code. You are responsible for using appropriate security software on your own devices.
10.3To the extent permitted by law, we exclude all liability for any loss or damage — whether direct, indirect, or consequential — arising from your use of the Website or Services, including loss of data, income, or savings.
10.4Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or excludes any rights you have as a consumer under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, the Fair Trading Act 1986, or any other applicable New Zealand law.
11. Complaints Procedure
Our commitment: We aim to provide a high standard of service. If something goes wrong, we will do everything we reasonably can to put it right.
Step 1 — Contact us first
Email us at [email protected] or call 03 371 9451. Please include your name, contact number, and a description of your complaint. We will endeavour to resolve your complaint within 2 business days.
Step 2 — Formal written complaint
If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, please write to our Customer Relations Manager at [email protected] or by post to Switch Me Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand. Include your name, address, phone number, and full details of your complaint.
- Within 5 working days we will send a written acknowledgement and confirm who is handling your complaint
- Within 4 weeks we will send a final response or an update advising when we expect to resolve the matter
- Within 8 weeks we will send a final response. If we cannot resolve your complaint by this time, we will write to you explaining why and advising your options
- Breach these Terms and Conditions
- Attempt to violate the rights of other users or third parties
- Engage in fraudulent or unlawful activity in connection with our Website or Services
Complaints about a Retailer
If your complaint relates to a product or service received directly from a Retailer, you should contact that Retailer directly. Switchme cannot accept liability for the actions of Retailers and cannot handle complaints on their behalf.
If you remain dissatisfied after following our complaints procedure, you may contact the Commerce Commission (www.comcom.govt.nz) or seek advice from Consumer NZ (www.consumer.org.nz).
12. Privacy
We collect, use, store, and share your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at www.switchme.co.nz/privacy-policy, and in compliance with the Privacy Act 2020.
13. Third Party Websites
Our Website may contain links to websites operated by third parties, including Retailers. These websites are governed by their own terms and conditions and privacy policies. The inclusion of a link does not imply our endorsement of that website. We accept no responsibility for the content or operation of third-party websites.
14. Termination
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to issue a warning, temporarily suspend, or permanently terminate your access to the Website if you:
15. General
15.1If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a competent authority, that provision will be severed and the remaining provisions will continue in full force.
15.2These Terms are governed by New Zealand law. Any disputes will be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
15.3We may update these Terms from time to time. We will publish any changes on our Website with a revised 'last updated' date. Your continued use of the Website after a change is published constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.
15.4These Terms apply only between Switch Me Limited and you. No third party is entitled to benefit from these Terms.
16. Commercial Customer Fee
16.1Switchme charges a fee of $99 + GST for commercial (non-residential) customers who use our switching service.
16.2This fee is only payable if we identify a Retailer offering a better price than your current incumbent retailer.
16.3No fee applies to new business connections or move-in signups where there is no incumbent retailer to compare against.
16.4We will issue an invoice to the email address you provide. Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date.
16.5If you submit more than one business account or premises, the $99 + GST fee is payable for each account on which savings are identified, provided the total savings across all submitted accounts exceed your current total costs. If total savings are less than your current total costs, the fee is not payable.
Privacy Policy
1. About This Policy
Switchme (trading as Switch Me Limited) is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your rights under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
By using our website or services, you agree to the collection and use of your information as described in this policy.
2. Who We Are
Switch Me Limited operates the comparison and switching service at www.switchme.co.nz. We are based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
For privacy enquiries, contact us at:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 03 371 9451
- Post: Switch Me Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand
3. What Information We Collect
We may collect and hold the following personal information:
- Identity information: your name and date of birth
- Contact information: your address, email address, and phone number
- Property and energy information: your ICP number, meter details, current retailer, and billing data
- Account information: details about your existing energy, broadband, mobile, or LPG accounts
- Communication records: records of calls, emails, or online interactions with us
- Technical data: IP address, browser type, and website usage data collected via cookies and analytics tools
4. How We Collect Your Information
We collect your information in the following ways:
- Directly from you when you use our comparison tool, complete a switch, fill in a form, request a callback, or contact us by phone or email
- From the national electricity registry when you provide your ICP number, which allows us to retrieve associated metering data
- Automatically through cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website (see section 13)
5. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to:
- Provide our comparison service and identify suitable energy, broadband, mobile, or LPG offers for you
- Process your switch request and submit your details to your chosen retailer
- Communicate with you about your switch, including follow-up calls and emails
- Send you marketing communications about relevant products or offers (where you have consented — see section 8)
- Maintain records of your interactions with us for service quality and compliance purposes
- Conduct statistical analysis and improve our service
- Meet our legal and regulatory obligations
6. Sharing Your Information
With retailers
When you choose to proceed with a switch, we share your personal information with the retailer you have selected so they can process your signup. By completing the switching process on our website, you are consenting to this transfer of your data to that retailer. The retailer will then handle your information in accordance with their own privacy policy and terms and conditions, which you should review before completing your switch.
With service providers
We use third-party technology and service providers to operate our business. These may include cloud hosting providers, email platforms, and customer relationship management tools. These providers are bound by contractual obligations to handle your data securely and only as directed by us.
For legal or regulatory reasons
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or regulatory authority.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
7. Offshore Storage and Processing
Some of the technology providers we use to store and process your information may be based outside New Zealand, or may store data on overseas servers. This includes:
By using our service, you consent to your information being stored and processed offshore in the circumstances described above.
8. Marketing Communications
If you have given us your contact details as part of using our service, we may from time to time contact you by phone or email with information about products, offers, or services that may be relevant to you.
Your right to opt out: You may opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time by:
We will process all opt-out requests promptly and within 5 working days at the latest. Opting out of marketing will not affect communications we send you that are directly related to a service you have requested.
We comply with the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 in all our marketing communications.
9. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for a period of 7 years from the date of your last interaction with us. This period reflects our obligations under New Zealand tax and business record-keeping laws, and the need to maintain records in the event of a dispute or complaint.
After this period, your personal information will be securely deleted or anonymised.
You may request deletion of your personal information at any time (see section 11). Where we are required by law to retain certain records, we will advise you of this.
10. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These steps include secure encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls on our systems, and contractual security obligations with our technology providers.
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to use commercially appropriate means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
11. Your Rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to all requests within 20 working days, as required by the Privacy Act 2020.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at www.privacy.org.nz or on 0800 803 909.
12. Privacy Breaches
If we become aware of a privacy breach that is likely to cause you serious harm, we will notify you and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner as required by the Privacy Act 2020, as soon as is reasonably practicable.
13. Cookies and Tracking
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience, analyse site usage, and support our marketing activities. Cookies are small data files placed on your device when you visit our website.
The types of cookies we may use include:
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will publish any updated version on our website with a revised 'last updated' date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.