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Will my phone work in New Zealand?
Learn how to use your cell phone in New Zealand with roaming, pocket WiFi, local SIM card, and a travel eSIM without needing to pay lots of money.
Yes, your phone will work in New Zealand. But knowing how to use it can help you avoid paying, which means you won’t pay over $1,000 just roaming for your trip.
This guide covers everything you need to know about using your phone in New Zealand, including the best options to stay connected abroad, like a Holafly travel eSIM.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
Can I use my phone in New Zealand?
Yes, and as long as you can connect to local frequency bands, you’ll be able to use your phone in New Zealand. Unless your provider offers other options, you’ll only rely on roaming in New Zealand.
New Zealand has 23 band frequencies in use, but thanks to the usage of the GSM standard (Global System for Mobile Communications), as this is added to local phones from the USA, UK, and Australia.
| Home country | Carriers | Will my phone work in New Zealand? |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Optus, Telstra, Vodafone AU | Yes, but you need to check if your phone is carrier-unlocked before traveling. |
| USA | AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile | Yes, but you need to check if your phone is carrier-unlocked before traveling. |
| UK | Three, O2, Vodafone UK, and EE | Yes, all phones sold in the UK after 2021 are carrier-unlocked. |
How to use your cell phone in New Zealand
You have four options for using your cell phone in New Zealand: eSIM, roaming, prepaid SIM card, and pocket WiFi.
Let’s discuss the pricing, benefits, and details for each option.
eSIM
If you have an eSIM-compatible phone, an eSIM is a fast, easy-to-use alternative for staying connected in New Zealand.
With the Holafly eSIM for New Zealand, you get an unlimited mobile data plan. Pricing reach as low as $1.55 per day, and plans are available for up to 90 days.
Plus, the eSIM includes 24/7 customer support, up to 500 MB of hotspot data per day, and 5G data speeds, at no extra cost.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
Make sure you have travel data that's there when you need it most.
Roaming
International data roaming in New Zealand is available through different plans for UK and US carriers. However, it’s the most expensive way to use your phone overseas.
Here’s what you should know about data roaming in New Zealand with UK and US-based carriers:
- USA carriers: Providers like Verizon and AT&T offer an international day pass for $12, unlocking unlimited data, texts, and calling. T-Mobile offers plans ranging from $5 to $50 with up to 15 GB of mobile data for 30 days.
- UK carriers: Providers like Three, O2, and Vodafone have built-in roaming in New Zealand on selected plans. If you’re on a different plan or use EE, daily passes range from £5 to £7.86 per day, depending on your carrier.
Physical SIM card for New Zealand
You can buy a SIM card for New Zealand from 2Degrees, Spark, and One NZ.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what each local carrier offers:
- 2Degrees: All local SIM card plans include unlimited mobile data, text, and calling. Plans range from 3 to 30 days, with pricing ranging from NZ$24 to NZ$95 (~$14.06 to $55.65 USD).
- Spark: All Spark SIM card plans are available for 90 days, ranging from 2 GB to unlimited, with some all-inclusive options including unlimited local calls and text messages on the most expensive options. Pricing ranges from NZ$29 to NZ$129 (~$16.06 to $75.66 USD).
- One NZ: Plans range from 30 to 90 days, with mobile data ranging from 4 GB to 100 GB, and up to unlimited calls and text depending on your chosen plan. Pricing goes from NZ$29 to NZ$99 (~$16.06 to $57.99 USD)
Pocket WiFi for New Zealand
Taking a pocket WiFi for New Zealand is a great option for sharing the internet with people traveling with you or working remotely.
However, standard options are pretty expensive. Pricing for companies like MioWiFi starts at $8/day for an unlimited plan without any add-ons or delivery fees, and TravelWiFi is even pricier, with unlimited plans starting at $17/day without any extra fees like delivery or add-ons such as a portable charger..
That’s where the eSIM from Holafly Plans turn into a cost-effective solution. With the Unlimited Plan, you get unlimited mobile data, unlimited hotspot data, 24/7 customer support, a European phone number, 5G data speeds, and coverage in 170 destinations for just $64.90/month, or $2.16 a day.
One plan is all you need
Explore Europe with unlimited data that crosses borders with you, without changing eSIM.
Will your phone work in New Zealand? The verdict
Your phone will work in New Zealand without issues, but you have to carefully choose which option is best for your next trip.
Using a pocket WiFi or roaming isn’t a low-cost option, as you can pay up to $17/day with some providers like TravelWiFi, and using a local SIM card can be a headache when it comes to SIM swapping.
That’s where using the Holafly eSIM for New Zealand or the Unlimited Plan from Holafly Plans turns into a solution. These are ideal for traveling internationally and avoiding paying high roaming charges, and can cost you as little as $1.55/day.
Plus, you can forget about SIM swapping, high delivery times, and enjoy a high-quality internet connection as soon as you arrive in New Zealand.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, these guides for other destinations can also be helpful.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
