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Home Blog The Best SIM Card for New Zealand in 2023

The Best SIM Card for New Zealand in 2023

Tourism in New Zealand has been increasing more and more over time. In 2018, this country received around 3.82 million visitors from all over the world which represented a new national record. Due to the proximity, Australia is the main and largest contributor to tourism in New Zealand (1.8 million visitors each year), then we have Europe, which also contributes to tourism in this country. Queenstown, Auckland, and Christchurch are just some of the most visited cities in New Zealand. If you prepared for this trip, we are sure you will have an incredible time there! If you are thinking about visiting New Zealand soon, you should take some minutes to read this article and stay connected with the best SIM card for New Zealand:  

Looking for an alternative solution? We have eSIMs for New Zealand available!

What Are The Top SIM Cards Offers for New Zealand?


  About the provider Sim Card Features
PAYG AIO15 As one of the favorite internet network providers among users in the United Kingdom, Three U.K. is now offering its internet coverage in New Zealand. Enjoy 3G/4G internet speed connection throughout your trip abroad in New Zealand.
  • Data: 10GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 30 days
  • Only $29.90
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PAYG AIO20 Traveling to New Zealand? With the service Go Roam by Three UK Holdings, you can browse the internet in New Zealand without ever worrying about any extra roaming charges anymore!
  • Data: 12GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 30 days
  • Only $39.90
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Travel SIM World Move to TrueMove H & instantly connect to the widest 4G LTE and 3G roaming network coverage. Enjoy TrueMove H's international service and roam with confidence in New Zealand
  • Data: 6GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 15 days
  • Only $39.90
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Holiday World The first SIM Card that truly covers every country in the whole world! Enjoy a great internet experience within New Zealand with the ISP Orange. They commit to provide the best service possible and have been awarded as the best internet operator in France many times in the row.
  • Data: 10GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 14 days
  • Only $49.90
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PAYG MBB 12GB Known for its excellent internet service through Europe, Three U.K. is extending its services to New Zealand to help tourists and business travellers to stay connected to the internet. Enjoy 12GB of internet for up to 1 year throughtout New Zealand.
  • Data: 12GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 1 Year
  • Only $59.90
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PAYG MBB 24GB Planning to stay long-term in New Zealand and still looking for an internet solution? Three U.K. provide one of the best internet network coverages in 3G/4G speed throughout New Zealand.
  • Data: 24GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 2 Year
  • Only $79.90
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What is The Best SIM Card for New Zealand?


SimOptions – The Best SIM Card Provider


This company works with the best mobile networks operators around the world. Although it is not from New Zealand, SimOptions offers several SIM cards than can be perfectly used while you travel to this country. SimOptions SIM cards are pre-registered so you will not need to spend time looking for official stores to register your SIM. You can order your prepaid SIMs even before arriving at your destination; you just need to provide the shipping address where you want to receive your prepaid SIM cards and that’s it! They also work with the best and most recognized shipping companies worldwide. If you want to buy a SIM card in New Zealand, we recommend you to take a look at the following ones:  


PAYG AIO15 | $29.90 - 10GB

  • Data: 10GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 30 days

Travel SIM World | $39.90 - 6GB

  • Data: 6GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 15 days

PAYG AIO20 | $39.90 - 12GB

  • Data: 12GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 30 days

PAYG MBB 12GB | $59.90 - 12GB

  • Data: 12GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 1 Year

PAYG MBB 24GB | $79.90 - 24GB

  • Data: 24GB
  • Calls/SMS: No
  • Credit Validity: 2 Year

Although these prepaid SIM cards do not include calls and texts, they will allow you to keep in touch with everybody through your social media apps. You will have enough data to search for all the necessary information to enjoy your stay in New Zealand.  

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Vodafone – The First Operator in the Country


With 2.538 million subscribers, Vodafone is also part of the telecommunication companies in New Zealand. As the first and best carrier in the country, Vodafone New Zealand is a subsidiary of Vodafone Plc (which is based in London). This company was founded in 1998 as a result of the purchase of BellSouth LLC and its network covers 98.5% of the population. Vodafone offers prepaid and postpaid mobile phones, 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE mobile networks, fixed-line, cable internet, and internet TV services. As it was mentioned before, Vodafone New Zealand still offers 2G services in the whole country and 3G services in the main centers and most of the rural areas. Its 4G/LTE service was launched at the beginning of 2013 and it is currently available in 54 centers around New Zealand, including Auckland, Christchurch, and Hamilton. Vodafone is recognized as the best network provider in the country because it has the best SIM cards and prepaid plans that will allow you to keep in touch with your beloved ones. Learn more about the New Zealand SIM cards offered by Vodafone:  

MyFlex Prepay


This customizable plan allows each user to arrange the plan according to their needs. They will have the opportunity to choose the amount of data, minutes, and texts they would like to have. Vodafone clients can decide how to create their own MyFlex Prepay and change it each time they want to do it. They just need to use the Vodafone App or visit Vodafone webpage. Take into account that this plan will be valid during 28 days after its activation. Here we will show you what MyFlex Prepay plan offers so you can modify it the way you want:  

Option 1 | $13 – 250 MB

  • Data: 250 MB
  • Calls: 50 minutes
  • SMS: 50 SMS

 

Option 2 | $14 – 500 MB

  • Data: 500 MB

 

Option 3 | $16 – 1.25 GB

  • Data: 1.25GB
  • Calls: 200 minutes + $1

 

Option 4 | $19 – 1.25 GB

  • Data: 1.75GB
  • Calls: 300 minutes + $4
  • SMS: 500 SMS + $1

 

Option 5 | $23 – 2 GB

  • Data: 2GB
  • Calls: 400 minutes + $7
  • SMS: Unlimited SMS + $2

 

Option 6 | $28 – 2.5 GB

  • Data: 2.5GB
  • Calls: 500 minutes + $9

 

Option 7 | $31 – 3 GB

  • Data: 3GB

 

Option 8 | $38 – 3.5 GB

  • Data: 3.5GB

Would you like to arrange your own My Flex Prepay plan? Click here and you will be able to do it! But, this is not the only option you will have if you decide to buy a Vodafone prepaid SIM card.  


NZ Travel SIM


This company also offers a SIM card that was created especially for tourists; it is called NZ Travel SIM. When buying this SIM card (you can find them at airports most of the time) you will have 4 different plans to choose; check them out below:  

Plan 1 | $29 – 1.5 GB

  • Data: 1.5 GB
  • Unlimited data: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber
  • Calls: 200 minutes to make local and certain international calls
  • SMS: 200 local and international SMS
  • Validity: 30 days

 

Plan 2 | $49 – 4 GB

  • Data: 4 GB
  • Unlimited data: WhatsApp, Facebook & Facebook Messenger, Viber, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Snapchat
  • Calls: 200 minutes to make local and certain international calls
  • SMS: 200 local and international SMS
  • Validity: 60 days

 

Plan 3 | $59 – 10 GB

  • Data: 10 GB
  • Unlimited data: WhatsApp, Facebook & Facebook Messenger, Viber, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Snapchat
  • Calls: Unlimited calls to local numbers + 200 minutes to make certain international calls
  • SMS: Unlimited SMS to local numbers + 200 SMS to make certain international calls
  • Validity: 60 days

 

Plan 4 | $50 – 3 GB

  • Data: 3 GB
  • Calls: Not included
  • SMS: Not included
  • Validity: 90 days

 

Data-Only SIM Card


In case you want to take your pocket WiFi to New Zealand and share your Internet connection to your smartphone, laptop or any other device, this option is for you. Vodafone also has a data-only SIM called Prepaid Mobile Broadband. It costs $5 + the data plan you choose for your SIM card. The data-only SIM has 4 data plans, take a look:  

Data 20 | $20 – 500 MB

  • Data: 500 MB
  • Validity: 30 days

 

Data 30 | $30 – 1 GB

  • Data: 1 GB
  • Validity: 30 days

 

Data 50 | $50 – 3 MB

  • Data: 3 GB
  • Validity: 3 months

 

Data 80 | $80 – 5 GB

  • Data: 5 GB
  • Validity: 6 months

Spark – The Second Most Important Carrier in New Zealand


Officially called Spark New Zealand Limited but commonly known just as Spark, this company is the second-best network provider in New Zealand. It was founded in 1987 and it was known as Telecom New Zealand; it was the only public provider in the country. Then, in 2014, it was rebranded with its current name. Spark currently has 2.392 million clients and it covers 97% on 3G network. This telecommunications company offers broadband, landline and mobile services around the country. Although Vodafone is considered the first and main network operator in New Zealand, Spark is also a very important provider because of its great coverage and different alternatives and rates for both locals and tourists clients. Here you will find the best Spark options:  

Travel Pack SIM


Spark offers 2 different SIM cards for tourists with data, local and international calls and texts. Both SIM cards can be recharged with top-up vouchers that can be found all over the country, or by credit card visiting Spark top-up page. Now, let’s see the 2 differ Travel SIM cards:  

Travel SIM 1 | $29 – 1 GB

  • Data: 1 GB
  • Calls: Local calls: 200 minutes / International calls*: 100 minutes
  • SMS: Local SMS: 100 texts / International texts*: 50 texts
  • Validity: 1 month

 

Travel SIM 2 | $49 – 3 GB

  • Data: 1 GB
  • Calls: Local calls: 200 minutes / International calls*: 200 minutes
  • SMS: Local SMS: 200 texts / International texts*: 100 texts
  • Validity: 2 months

* International calls and texts include the following countries: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, India, South Africa, U.K, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland; and France. In case you need more data, Spark also offers data plans that can be added to your prepaid SIM card. You need to text the activation code to 258 to start the following plans:  

Data Plans


Plan 1 | $3 – 100 MB

  • Data: 100 MB
  • Validity: 28 days
  • Activation: BUY 5DATA

 

Plan 2 | $15 – 1 GB

  • Data: 1 GB
  • Validity: 28 days
  • Activation: BUY 15DATA

 

Plan 3 | $20 – 2 GB

  • Data: 2 GB
  • Validity: 28 days
  • Activation: BUY 20DATA

Do you want to stop your data plan? Text the same activation codes to 258 but change the word “BUY” to “END” and that’s it!  


2degrees – One of the Best Telecommunications Company


2degrees is considered the third most important network operator in New Zealand. It was founded in 2009 and it started offering just 2G services at that time. Then, in 2010, the company launched 3G services and 4 years later, in 2014, they started providing 4G services to their clients. Although 2degrees (also written as 2°) is not as famous Vodafone or Spark, they have 1.3 million customers around the country. 2degrees has 2 Carryover Combos that include calls, texts, and data. Let’s see the benefits included in these 2 mobile plans:  

Carryover Combo 1 | $9 – 250 MB

  • Data: 250 MB
  • Calls: 50 minutes
  • SMS: Unlimited
  • Validity: 1 month

 

Carryover Combo 2 | $19 – 1.25 GB

  • Data: 250 MB
  • Calls: 200 minutes
  • SMS: Unlimited
  • Validity: 1 month

Apart from these plans, 2degrees also offers 3 different Combo Packs with different benefits and rates that the Carryover Combos. Keep reading and see:  

Combo Pack 1 | $19 – 1.25 GB

  • Data:25 GB
  • Calls: 50 minutes
  • SMS: Unlimited SMS
  • Validity: 1 month
  • Activation: buy 19Carry
  • Deactivation: STOP 19Carry

 

Combo Pack 2 | $29 – 2.5 GB

  • Data:5 GB
  • Calls: Unlimited minutes
  • SMS: Unlimited SMS
  • Validity: 1 month
  • Activation: buy 29Carry
  • Deactivation: STOP 29Carry

 

Combo Pack 3 | $49 – 10 GB

  • Data: 10 GB
  • Calls: Unlimited minutes
  • SMS: Unlimited SMS
  • Validity: 1 month
  • Activation: buy 49Carry
  • Deactivation: STOP 49Carry

Text the activation or deactivation code to 233 each time you want to start or stop using any of the previous Combo Packs. Keeping in touch with our beloved ones is a very important aspect to be taken into account when traveling, no matter where we are going to. That is why SimOptions is always thinking about the best SIM cards for your needs! This time we showed you some of the best SIM cards for New Zealand, we hope this article was useful for you!

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