For a short trip, a prepaid tourist SIM or an eSIM is usually all you need. You can buy a SIM at the airport on arrival or in any supermarket and phone shop in town.
The three networks
- One NZ (formerly Vodafone) and Spark have the widest rural coverage and are the safer choice if you are driving remote routes.
- 2degrees is often a little cheaper and fine in and around the main centres.
- Coverage maps on each provider's site show the gaps; check them against your planned route.
Rough costs
Tourist or prepaid SIM packs aimed at visitors usually run around NZ$30 to NZ$50 and bundle a chunk of data with some calls and texts for a few weeks. Top-ups are easy through each provider's app. If you only need data, look at a data-only plan rather than a full prepaid pack.
eSIM option
If your phone supports eSIM, you can buy and activate a New Zealand plan before you land, so you have data the moment you switch on after the flight. This avoids queues at the airport. Check your phone is unlocked and eSIM-capable before you rely on it.
Where coverage drops
- Expect dead spots on remote highways, mountain passes and much of Fiordland.
- Some Great Walks and DOC huts have no signal at all; tell someone your plans before you go off-grid.
- Even popular areas can have black spots between towns, so download maps for offline use.
Setting up your SIM
A physical SIM needs to be registered, which the shop will usually do for you on the spot, or you do it through the provider's app with your passport details. Activation is normally quick but can take a short while, so do it before you leave the airport or town rather than relying on it working the moment you drive off. Keep the original SIM and the little tool in a safe place for when you fly home.
How much data to buy
- Maps, messaging and email are light on data; a modest plan covers a typical trip.
- Streaming video and video calls use far more, so size up if you rely on them.
- Download offline maps and any key bookings while you have good signal in town.
Calls and emergencies
The emergency number in New Zealand is 111 for police, fire and ambulance, and it works even with no credit or, in many areas, on another network if yours has no signal. For everyday calls, most travellers use data-based apps rather than minutes. If you are heading into the backcountry, consider a personal locator beacon, which many outdoor shops and DOC offices hire out, because a phone is useless where there is no coverage.
Free Wi-Fi
Public libraries, many cafes, i-SITE visitor centres and most holiday parks and hostels offer free Wi-Fi, though speeds vary. It is fine for messaging and email but do not count on it for large uploads. Prices, data allowances and coverage change over time, so check the current plans on each provider's site before you buy.