The Green Party says only power companies currently benefit from so-called smart meters, which enable them to do without meter readers.
The Smart Meters (Consumer Choice) Bill, sponsored by Green MP David Clendon, will require power companies to set minimum standards for new meters, to allow them to work with smart appliances.
These appliances communicate with each other and the main power grid to modify their usage at peak times.
Power companies say there's no point installing chips in meters yet because smart appliances are not available in New Zealand.
However, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, says it will be expensive to retrofit the meters later.
