People will just have to go with the flow and accept it if electricity companies impose smart meters on them, according to Consumer New Zealand spokeswoman Sue Chetwin.

The Energy Minister has given the go ahead for the installation of the smart meters, but Ms Chetwin says there are reservations about how smart the meters are and if they will benefit consumers. She points out savings are being made by the retailer, who can read the meter without sending someone out to the property to do it.

Down the road she adds, consumers might have pay for the upgrade of the meters.