Many tourists visiting New Zealand choose to get a local One NZ SIM card or eSIM to stay connected during their trips. One NZ SIM cards and eSIM provide visitors with an affordable and effective way to check updates from home, share the best moments, and navigate their way around New Zealand while on the go. This guide will uncover the best option, how to buy and activate, and the best alternatives to One NZ SIMs.
In this article
One NZ is the biggest mobile carrier in New Zealand. Here are several key facts about One NZ you may need to know:
One NZ has extensive coverage across New Zealand and delivers fast data speeds.
► So in summary, One NZ has reliable network coverage from the North to South islands and fast mobile service. Thus, tourists can feel confident when using this carrier’s networks during New Zealand trips.
Tourists visiting New Zealand can access One NZ’s networks via these three main options:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
| One NZ SIM cards | – Diverse SIM packages to select – Affordable rates for mobile services – Easy to purchase online or at carrier stores | – Need an unlocked phone |
| Pocket Wifi | – Portable – Internet sharing between many mobile devices like phones, tablets, laptops | – Extra accessories to carry – High rental rates |
| Roaming | – Familiar home mobile operator/ package/ phone number – No SIM swap | – Very expensive charges – Network coverage is set based on the agreement between your home operator and One NZ |
► Recommendation: Rental pocket Wifi seems risky and roaming costs too much. It is best to buy One NZ SIM cards for affordable and secure connectivity while exploring New Zealand.
Here are some of the best One NZ SIM cards for travelers to New Zealand and rates accordingly.
| Price | Benefits | Validity |
| NZD 15 – USD 9 | 1GB of data & 100 call minutes & unlimited texts | 28 days |
| NZD 20 – USD 12 | 1.5GB of data & 200 call minutes & unlimited texts | 28 days |
| NZD 30 – USD 18 | 3GB of data & 300 call minutes & unlimited texts | 28 days |
| NZD 40 – USD 23 | 8GB of data & 100 call minutes & unlimited texts | 28 days |
Important Note: The call minutes and texts are used in New Zealand and Australia. Visit One NZ’s official website for further details.
Yes. Definitely! One NZ provides tourists with eSIM – the embedded SIM built into the latest smartphones, watches, and tablets. eSIM is a green and hassle-free alternative to physical SIMs. With an eSIM, you can run two different numbers on your cell phone and do not need to constantly switch between physical SIMs when traveling from country to country.
There are two ways to get a New Zealand eSIM:
► Recommendation: It is more convenient for tourists to get a New Zealand eSIM from third-party sellers rather than One NZ directly. However, choosing which seller to go is quite confusing. You can consider buying eSIM from trusted providers like Gigago.
Gigago has multiple eSIM plan options for New Zealand. The starter pack gives you 1GB of data per day for 5 days and only costs $10.50 . Other plans range from $10.50 – $141.50 . Just pick the one that aligns with your priorities and trip duration.
Pro Tip: Your smartphone needs to be compatible with eSIM technology. Check out our latest list of eSIM-compatible devices.
It is easy to get One NZ SIM cards and eSIMs. Here are the locations:
1.1. Upon arrival at New Zealand airports
One NZ SIM cards are available at:
Pros: convenient instant Internet when you arrive in New Zealand
Cons: higher prices than in cities
1.2. One NZ shops and authorized dealers
One NZ has over 100 One NZ stores across the nation. Besides, you can buy One NZ SIM cards at Countdown supermarkets, Warehouse convenience stores, etc.
Pros: very competitive prices, widely distributed, a wide selection of One NZ SIM options to choose from
Cons: need to locate and get to the stores
Visitors to New Zealand can purchase One NZ eSIM via:
Pro Tips:
Follow these steps and you will activate your One NZ SIM card or eSIM successfully:
Steps to activate One NZ SIM card:
Steps to activate One NZ eSIM:
Besides One NZ SIM cards, visitors have other options to get SIM cards for their trip to New Zealand. These include:
No, coverage is the same across One NZ’s national network whether using a physical SIM card or eSIM.
Most recent iPhone and Samsung models released in the last 2-3 years are compatible with One NZ eSIM. You can check device compatibility on One NZ’s website.
Yes, many visitors choose to pre-pay for their One NZ SIM card or eSIM online before they travel to New Zealand so it’s ready to use upon arrival.
To sum up, One NZ SIM cards and eSIM make staying online while in New Zealand easy and affordable. They provide reliable 4G/5G network coverage wherever you go in the country. Whether you are a light or heavy data user, One NZ’s prepaid plans have an option to suit. Just pick the option that best aligns with your preferences and length of stay in New Zealand.
Spark SIM cards and eSIM will help you enjoy your trip around New Zealand to the fullest. Let us discuss which option is the best for you and how to purchase and activate affordable prepaid Spark physical SIM and eSIM options.
This guide will provide everything you need to know about renting pocket Wifi for New Zealand travel: how to rent, rates, the best options, and some alternatives to stay connected while exploring New Zealand.
Buying a SIM card for New Zealand is the best way to get the Internet for navigating maps, browsing social media, or keeping in touch with your loved ones.
If you are planning to visit New Zealand and land at Auckland Airport, getting a SIM card to stay connected is not a bad idea. Buying a SIM card at Auckland Airport (AKL) ends up being very easy.
For tourists landing at Christchurch Airport (CHC) from another country, one of the first things to do is get a prepaid SIM card with reliable cellular data. This will help you stay connected with your loved ones back home, use Google Maps and transport apps, etc while exploring all the stunning destinations in New Zealand. […]
Getting a prepaid SIM card is an excellent way to stay online while exploring the city of Wellington, New Zealand. It allows you to access reliable Internet on your phone for convenient navigation around the city.
