Visiting New Zealand soon? Learn how to purchase a New Zealand SIM card.
In this guide, weâll explain where to buy a SIM card for New Zealand in person and online. Weâll also discuss prepaid travel SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.
Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in New Zealand.
If you donât mind not having Internet, youâll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate English â you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in New Zealand.
Best New Zealand Travel SIM Cards
If youâre traveling in New Zealand, we recommend using a SIM card from Vodafone, Spark, 2degrees, or Airalo.
Iâll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!
That said, if you plan on visiting other countries during your trip to Oceania, you might want to pick an option offering coverage in other Oceanian countries.
Where To Buy A SIM Card In New Zealand
You can buy a New Zealand prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.
Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we donât recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.
That said, you wonât necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so itâs essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.
For this reason, Iâd recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.
Although, this means you wonât get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase an Oceanian prepaid SIM card online.
Now, letâs take a look at the data plans offered by Vodafone, Spark, and 2degrees.
Vodafone SIM Cards
Vodafone offers three different types of tourist plans:
- 2 GB, valid for 30 days for NZD 29 ($16.86)
- 10 GB, valid for 60 days for NZD 49 ($28.49)
- 40 GB, valid for 60 days for NZD 69 ($40.12)
Spark SIM Cards
Spark has four different prepaid plans available:
- 2 GB, valid for 90 days for NZD 29 ($16.86)
- 10 GB, valid for 90 days for NZD 49 ($28.49)
- 50 GB, valid for 90 days for NZD 79 ($45.93)
- Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for NZD 129 ($75)
2degrees SIM Cards
2degrees offers several main SIM-only plans for tourists:
- 1.25 GB, valid for 30 days for NZD 19 ($11.05)
- 2.5 GB, valid for 30 days for NZD 30 ($17.44)
- 4 GB, valid for 30 days for NZD 40 ($23.26)
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for NZD 55 ($31.98)
- 25 GB, valid for 30 days for NZD 70 ($40.70)
- 40 GB, valid for 30 days for NZD 70 ($49.42)
Overall, we think Vodafone is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person.
That said, any would do if you canât find their store!
How To Buy A New Zealand Prepaid SIM Card Online
If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.
Youâll find different SIM cards for New Zealand on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. New Zealand is included.
But there are many other options worth considering, so look and make sure the countries you plan to visit are listed.
Another option is to purchase a prepaid Oceanian SIM card on SimOptions.
They currently offer two packages that cover New Zealand:
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $24.90
- 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90
Finally, the last option is to buy a New Zealand eSIM card or, if youâre traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Oceania.
How To Buy A New Zealand eSIM Card
eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.
If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards â itâs definitely one of the best options to get data in New Zealand.
Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.
I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo, one of the best eSIM providers for international travel.
Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for New Zealand.
Airalo ESIM New Zealand
If you want a New Zealand eSIM, you could purchase one on Airalo.
This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Oceania and New Zealand.
Iâve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine. Learn more by reading our Airalo review.
Here are the options available:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $4.50
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $8.50
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $11
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $16
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $27
- 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $44
Alternatively, if youâre traveling in other countries, Discover Global offers coverage in 124 countries, including New Zealand.
Hereâs an overview of the options available on Discover Global:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $24
- 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
- 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
- 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69
Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that youâll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.
Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.
In that case, it might be because youâre connecting automatically to networks and must select a network manually instead.
When you purchase the eSIM, youâll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.
Holafly New Zealand
Holafly is another eSIM provider to consider in New Zealand. We have tried Holafly in the past, so you can read our Holafly eSIM review to learn more.
Hereâs an overview of the plans available in New Zealand:
- Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $21
- Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $29
- Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
- Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $51
- Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $62
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $75
- Unlimited data, valid for 60 days for $107
- Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for $139
Nomad ESIM New Zealand
Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider. You can learn more by reading our Nomad eSIM review.
Hereâs an overview of the plans available for New Zealand:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $4
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $13
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $15
- 10GB, valid for 30 days for $19
- 15GB, valid for 30 days for $25
- 20GB, valid for 30 days for $34
- 30GB, valid for 30 days for $60
- 40GB, valid for 30 days for $75
- 50GB, valid for 30 days for $90
- 100GB, valid for 60 days for $170
Finally, Nomad also has Global, an eSIM plan for 111 countries worldwide. This plan offers coverage in New Zealand.
Hereâs an overview of the options available:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $20
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $38
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $54
Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In New Zealand
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in New Zealand or even an eSIM for your travels in New Zealand is pretty straightforward.
Youâll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Oceania without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase an Oceania or global plan.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in New Zealand if you wish to have data upon your arrival.
This way, you wonât need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.
However, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Traveling to New Zealand soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
