© Contact Energy Ltd, All rights reserved 2026
For independent complaint or pricing advice, click here. UDL & Powerswitch can help.
To read our Residential Consumer Care policy on how we'll keep you safe and connected, click here.
This notice summarises how we or third parties collect information about you indirectly.
Indirect collection by Contact
In some circumstances, we collect personal information about you from other sources instead of directly from you. This notice explains when, how, and why we collect your personal information indirectly, to ensure you are informed about this practice. It is designed to make sure you know that your information has been collected, the reason it was collected and who it was collected from. This indirect collection of personal information is different from the information we collect through third party service providers acting on our behalf. For more information about how we handle personal information, including information collected via service providers, please see our privacy policy.
Below are examples of the situations where Contact collects personal information indirectly.
Switching retailers
If you switch your supply to Contact, we collect your personal information from the retailer you have switched from. This information is used to set up and manage your account and complete the switching process. Contact details for all electricity retailers can be found on the Electricity Authority’s website here.
Working with lines companies
To provide and administer your electricity services, Contact collects your personal information from the lines company responsible for the network in your area. Lines companies own and maintain the power poles and lines that carry electricity from the National Grid to homes and businesses across New Zealand.
The main lines companies in New Zealand are:
To find out which lines company connects you to electricity, you can enter your address here.
Customer support
If you are a vulnerable customer and require our support, Contact collects your personal information from referrals made by the following companies:
If you need financial assistance, Contact collects your personal information from referrals made by MoneyTalks to help us assess and provide suitable support options.
If you are in financial hardship, Contact collects your personal information from referrals made by Work and Income New Zealand to help us assess and provide suitable support options.
If you need financial assistance, Contact collects your personal information from referrals made by Utilities Disputes to help us assess and provide suitable support options.
If you or your family are experiencing domestic violence, Contact collects your personal information made by referrals from Women’s Refuge to help us assess and provide suitable support options.
If you are experiencing harm or hardship, Contact collects your personal information from referrals made by Good Shepherd to help us assess and provide suitable support options.
If you need support from a regional mental health service provider, Contact collects your personal information made by referrals from your local provider to help us assess and provide suitable support options.
If you are experiencing energy hardship, Contact collects your personal information from referrals made by the following Good Initiative partners to help us assess and provide suitable support options:
Credit checks and debt collection
To carry out credit checks or collect debts and answer debt related queries, Contact collects your personal information from the following agencies:
Information requests from government agencies
If we receive a request for information from the following government agencies that includes your details, Contact collects your personal information to assess and fulfil the request:
Dispute resolution
If you make a complaint, Contact collects your information from Utilities Disputes so we can help address your electricity, gas and broadband concerns.
If you make a complaint, Contact collects your personal information from the Disputes Tribunal so we can help address your dispute.
If you make a privacy complaint, Contact collects your personal information from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner so we can help address your privacy concerns.
Sales channels
If you sign up to our services through their channels, Contact collects your personal information from referrals made by the following companies:
Authorised persons
If you have nominated a trusted individual to discuss, manage and make changes to your account, Contact collects your personal information from the authorised person.
Energy consultants
To engage with your energy consultant or broker, Contact collects your personal information from the consultant or broker, including:
Indirect collection by third parties
As explained in our privacy policy, we work with third parties who collect information about you from us, including the third parties listed below. You can find out more about what those third parties use your information for and your rights in relation to that information through their privacy policy:
It’s likely that we’ll need to change this notice from time to time. You’re welcome to come back and check it whenever you wish.
For independent complaint or pricing advice, click here. UDL & Powerswitch can help.
To read our Residential Consumer Care policy on how we'll keep you safe and connected, click here.