Mobile Internet in New Zealand for Travelers: 5 Ways to Get Data & Cost

Wondering if you could get mobile internet in New Zealand as a tourist? There are multiple options to stay online in New Zealand, but knowing which one to choose to enjoy your trip to the fullest requires tests. This article will do it for you and reveal the finest ways to access the mobile internet while traveling in New Zealand. Let’s dig into!

I. Mobile Internet in New Zealand – Coverage and Speed

The three main major network operators in New Zealand are Spark, 2degrees, and One (former Vodafone). Below is an overview about coverage and speed of mobile internet carriers in New Zealand.

1. New Zealand Mobile Internet Coverage

From the coverage maps of main operators in New Zealand, we can see that:

• Spark has the most extensive coverage nationwide. Their network covers major cities and towns very well. In rural and remote areas, Spark’s coverage is still quite comprehensive compared to the other two providers. 5G is accessible in many locations.
• 2degrees’s coverage map is robust in main urban centers like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch and also extends to many provincial towns.
• One, formerly known as Vodafone, has a coverage footprint similar to 2degrees. Their network is not as readily available as Spark’s when you head deeper into the countryside. 5G is accessible in several places.

▶ Our recommendation: Choose Spark because of its strong coverage across most cities and towns in New Zealand.

2. New Zealand Mobile Internet Speed

Overall, New Zealand ranks the 43th in the world for cellular internet speeds according to the Speedtest Global Index data.

• Average download speed is 61.57Mbps, average upload speed is 9.97Mbps, and latency is 32ms.
• In terms of median download speed in Q4 2023, One NZ delivered the fastest speed at 73.52Mbps, Spark at 70.23Mbps, and 2degrees at 64.86Mbps.
• In terms of consistency, 2degrees had the highest consistency (91%), followed by One NZ (84.5%), and Spark (83.4%)

▶ Our recommendation:

For the fastest speeds and reliable coverage, you may choose to use the networks of Spark or One NZ. For the most consistent performance, you may use 2degrees networks.

II. What are the Connectivity Options for Travelers to New Zealand?

There are 05 major connectivity options that tourists can choose to stay connected while traveling in New Zealand: prepaid SIM cards, eSIMs, Pocket Wifi, roaming, and Wifi.

Here is a comparison table of these options:

Option	How it works	Price	Where to buy	Pros	Cons
SIM card	Insert SM card into phone to get cellular data and calls	Varies, depending on the carrier, data package	Kiosks at major airports, telecom stores	Flexible usage, can be used as a hotspot	Compatible phone needed
New Zealand eSIM	Activate digital eSIM profile on compatible phones	Slightly cheaper than SIM cards	Online from New Zealand telcos or from eSIM providers	Fast activation, no physical SIM	Limited phone compatibility
Roaming with home provider	Use existing home cellular plan internationally	Very high roaming rates, check plan carefully	Via home carrier	Same number works, no need separate plan	Expensive roaming fees
Pocket Wifi	Rent Wifi hotspot device	Rather expensive	Rental shops	Portable Wifi anywhere, can be shared, no per GB charges	Rental cost, limited data in some plans
Public Wifi	Free Wifi at places (cafes, stations, malls,…)	Free	Available in main cities, towns	No cost, easy access, no extra purchase or rental needed	Limited availability, security issues

▶ Our recommendation:

• Choose to buy a SIM card for New Zealand if you prioritize convenience and reasonable rates.
• Choose eSIM if you have a SIM-compatible device.

III. Mobile Internet Rates in New Zealand – Is It Expensive?

The table below displays the internet fees of the five options for mobile internet in New Zealand.

Option	Rate (USD)
New Zealand SIM card	1.5GB data & 200 minutes: NZD $19 – USD $11.7
New Zealand eSIM	3-20GB, valid for 5-30 days, prices from $10.50 – $141.50
Roaming with the New Zealand operators	Depending on your home plan, carrier, and country
Public Wifi	Free
Pocket Wifi	Expect to pay $10-$15 per day

Note: The details in table above is for indicative purposes only. Confirm with your carrier for the most up-to-date information.

▶ Our recommendation:

A prepaid physical SIM card from the main carriers in New Zealand or a prepaid eSIM may be a great choice for tourists who want an instant Internet connection upon arrival at budget-friendly fees. 

IV. Data SIM Card for Mobile Internet in New Zealand

A data SIM card for New Zealand offers great data packages at affordable rates to tourists. Follow the table below for several SIM card plans from major carriers in New Zealand.

Spark, 2degrees, and One are the three major network carriers in New Zealand

Network	Price	Data	Validity
Spark	USD $13	2GB data + 300 minutes	28 days
Spark	USD $19	4GB data + 500 minutes	28 days
Spark	USD $51	40GB data + unlimited minutes	28 days
One (former Vodafone)	USD $9	1GB data + 100 minutes	28 days
One (former Vodafone)	USD $23	8GB data + 100 minutes + 100 sms	28 days
2degrees	USD $11	1.5GB data + 200 minutes	30 days
2degrees	USD $18	3GB data + 300 minutes	30 days

Note: The SIM packages above are just several of the SIM card options available for visitors to New Zealand and may change over time. It is best to contact the carrier for the most accurate details.

V. Data eSIM for New Zealand – Best Option to Get Mobile Internet in New Zealand for Tourists

Once your phone supports eSIM, purchasing an eSIM is the best way to connect to the mobile internet in New Zealand. This solution has various outstanding perks compared to a physical SIM card:

• Online download and activation process
• No store visit, no SIM slot needed, no risk of physical damage or loss
• Immediate Internet access when you reach New Zealand
• Multiple eSIM profiles on a single phone

Visitors to New Zealand can decide to buy eSIMs from major New Zealand network carriers or get them from prestigious eSIM suppliers like GIGAGO.

Why select Gigago?

Gigago is a trusted eSIM provider that offers quality eSIM services to more than 200 countries and territories around the world. The eSIM service for New Zealand from Gigago is a popular choice among tourists traveling to this country for many reasons:

• Online eSIM profile download and activation
• Easy setup within just several minutes
• No identity check required
• Multilingual customer support, available 24/7
• Multiple plans to choose: Gigago eSIM plans for New Zealand start at 1GB of data per day for 5 days at just $10.50 , much affordable than roaming services. What is incredible about Gigago eSIM is that the rates of packages range from $10.50 – $141.50 . Thus, regardless of how long your trip in New Zealand is and how much data you consume, Gigago always has the best solution for you.

How to purchase New Zealand eSIM package with Gigago?

Just take the following steps to get an eSIM plan for New Zealand with Gigago:

• Choose the eSIM package (data, validity) that suits your prioritizes, trip duration, and budget;
• Pay online using e-wallets or credit cards;
• Check your email for a QR code or activation key to activate your eSIM
• Toggle on the data roaming function in the settings menu of your phone and your eSIM is ready to use.

VI. FAQs about Mobile Internet in New Zealand

VII. Conclusion

In conclusion, travelers have different options to get mobile internet in New Zealand. Purchasing a local SIM card or using an eSIM profile gives you the most convenient cost-effective Internet access. Remember to choose the option and data plan that best aligns with your needs and trip duration.