More people are seeking help for electricity and gas payments because incomes aren't keeping up with rising rents.

The number of electricity and gas hardship grants has increased by almost 50 percent since this time last year.

National says the coalition is to blame for a higher cost of living, but the Government has hit back, with Minister Carmel Sepuloni says that is a result of people being more comfortable coming forward.

CEO of One Big Switch Tim Rudkin told Kerre McIvor says that arguably both sides have valid points. 

He says that people could save money by switching their energy providers. 

"Our perspective is why don't you look around rather than incuring the costs." 

Rudkin says that figures in 2017 found that New Zealanders could save $400 million by switching.