Updated May 7, 2019
In many countries, the average traveller can manage with free Wi-Fi. This isn’t the case in New Zealand. If you want to stay connected, buying a SIM card in New Zealand is the more convenient and affordable option.
Free Wi-Fi isn’t the norm
During my visit to New Zealand in 2012, I relied on Wi-Fi. That was a mistake. Free Wi-Fi was uncommon. Searching for Wi-Fi was a waste of time, money and energy. Purchasing Internet access was expensive. Accommodation providers advertising “free Wi-Fi” invariably dispensed it in the form of “Wi-Fi passes.” Each was limited to 250 MB of data, which seemed to evaporate within minutes.
For subsequent visits in 2017 and 2019, I was determined to have a better experience by tapping into cellular coverage through a local SIM card and pre-paid plan. While Wi-Fi data allowances have improved since 2012, access to free Wi-Fi still lags behind that of other countries.
My preferred features in a NZ mobile plan
- ability to purchase and immediately activate a pre-paid plan at Auckland Airport’s International Terminal;
- validity for the duration of my stay;
- cellular coverage in Auckland, Wellington and the South Island, with free roaming between networks;
- calls within New Zealand to stay in touch with friends and travelling companions, book accommodation and activities, or use in an emergency;
- calls to Australia and Canada;
- data to access the Internet for travel research, navigation, VoIP calls, email management, posting to social media, and using my phone as a hotspot to connect my tablet to the Internet;
- ability to conveniently buy additional calling minutes or data; and
- an app or online account to track usage.
Pre-trip research
My usual starting point, before any trip, is the Buying Local SIM Cards Around the World section of Too Many Adapters. It’s a one-stop place for Intel on options in 75 countries.
Plans, features and costs can then be found at the web site of each network and reseller.
Finally, I check which sellers have a presence at my arrival airport. Having a phone that can be activated before leaving the airport allows me to get on with my travels. It’s especially important when communicating with others about delayed travel plans and meeting arrangements.
At the airport, my approach is to visit each storefront or kiosk. If I’m lucky, there will be at least two sellers. If so, there’s a chance there’ll be discounted rates on decent calling and data plans.
This is what I learned from pre-trip research:
- There are three main networks in New Zealand – Spark, 2Degrees and Vodafone (reseller Skinny operates off Spark).
- Spark and Vodafone have the largest networks covering 98% of the population.
- In 2019, Skinny, Spark and Vodafone offered similar plans and prices. 2Degrees had plans geared to longer-term customers.
- If a seller has a presence within the duty-free section of an international airport, plans are available at tax-free prices. In 2019, this was the case with Vodafone and Spark at the International Terminal of Auckland Airport. Both are open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
My choice: Vodafone
In 2017, Vodafone was the only seller with a presence in the duty-free arrivals area in Auckland, and that influenced my choice. In 2019, Spark had a kiosk, and their “NZ Travel SIM” (5 GB) offered slightly better features. However, I decided to go with Vodafone again, given my positive experience in 2017.
I chose the Vodafone NZ Travel SIM (4 GB). The price was $43 (28 USD) if purchased in the duty-free zone.
The plan came with:
- 200 calling minutes and 200 texts, within New Zealand and to select countries (Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, and USA);
- 4 GB of 4G data (where available);
- validity of 60 days;
- 30-day social pass using apps such as Facebook and Instagram;
- 30-day chat pass using apps such as Messenger and Viber;
- an online account to monitor usage and purchase top up.
Set up and activation took a few minutes. I asked Shirlyn, the Vodafone representative, to enable access to the hotspot feature on my phone and she successfully paired my iPad mini. Payment was quick at the duty-free counter a few metres away.
The verdict?
Vodafone makes buying a SIM card in New Zealand easy for travellers. The features are clearly outlined at the Vodafone website, and on the information boards at the airport kiosk. Vodafone recognizes that passengers arrive at irregular hours, and has staff available to meet incoming flights. Set up is efficient and activation is immediate.
I didn’t expect cellular reception in a few areas. This was indeed the case in places between Te Anau and Milford Sound, and crossing Rainbow and Molesworth Stations. Otherwise, I was satisfied with the coverage.
I was able to use free Wi-Fi at airports (limits of 2 hours in Auckland, 60 minutes in Nelson, 2GB in Queenstown, and unlimited in Christchurch). Most accommodation providers limited Wi-Fi usage but allowances have improved significantly within the last couple of years.
Vodafone’s 4 GB of data was more than enough for those occasions when free Wi-Fi wasn’t available. Monitoring usage was easy through my online account. This included access to summaries and detailed reports.
The ability to make calls to other countries is a bonus for staying in touch with family and friends. It proved invaluable for contacting insurance providers and financial institutions back home. It’s pleasing to see Skinny, Spark and Vodafone recognize this need in their plans for travellers.
What’s your experience buying a SIM card in New Zealand?
Heading to Australia? If so, you might be interested in Buying a SIM card in Australia.
Care to pin it for later?
AS always, thorough and interesting. I wish you had one available for France for our recent visit as it would have saved us heaps. I’ll tell you some time … real old duffer stuff.
Thanks for the info!
I plan on using it tomorrow!
Great insight from NZ, thanks a lot! Buying a SIM will be the first thing I’do when I get there
Gracias! That’s a great data allowance. Easy decision considering verizon charges $10 for 24 hrs and you use your monthly data allowance.
Appreciate the info!
Hello can I ask something about the hotspot/tethering. Can I put the simcard in my phone and used it to share hotspot with my friend? I was planning to buy Vodafone Travel Sim but I was wondering if I can only buy one and share my data via hotspot/tethering.
Can I put the sim card on my phone and share the data using hotspot/tethering? Im planning to buy the vodafone travel sim and share the data to my travel partner.
Good to hear about the SIM cards – as a more global resource, I’ve used https://prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com for years. It’s a wiki-like site, but has a page for almost every country, what to look for, etc.
What areas lacked cell coverage?
A helpful and valuable post! The first time I needed to buy a SIM card in HK and goooosh I struggled a lot!