When a beloved tool is replaced without care, the rupture is felt not just as inconvenience but as a kind of betrayal. Powershop, a New Zealand electricity retailer long regarded as a customer-friendly alternative, has found itself at the centre of a trust crisis in mid-2026 — record complaints to Consumer NZ, unexplained bill doublings, and a new app that left people stranded precisely when they needed clarity. The company is now attempting to rebuild what took years to earn, knowing that in markets where switching is easy, goodwill is the only true barrier to departure.
Powershop faces exodus as complaints surge over billing issues and app overhaul
Customers report financial stress from unexplained bill increases and inability to contact support during vulnerable periods like house moves.