Important steps upon landing in New Zealand (IRD, bank, phone…)

Getting a local phone number is relatively simple, it takes only a few minutes. Having a local number is useful for house searching, as it is common for landlords to contact you via text. It is also important for your job search, as potential employers must be able to reach you easily.

Inbound communication is toll free for the receiver, unlike in other countries (such as Canada).

You have several options. There are prepaid cards that you top up without commitment to any contract. There are also pay-as-you-go plans without commitment. And lastly there are committed pay monthly plans which often include the device as well. Many working holiday makers have shared that prepaid cards or pay-as-you-go plans are good enough. All you need to have is an unlocked device.

As packages often change, we recommend you to check the latest updates directly on the pages of the various New Zealand operators: 2degrees, One NZ et Spark. If you are already thinking of moving to a particular region, it is worth finding out about operators’ mobile network coverage.

Pricing is variable, so we invite you to check out a few different operators

All customers of Spark can benefit from 1 GB of free data on the WiFi terminals offered by Spark and scattered throughout the territories (in cities).

Prepaid options

For prepaid options, you buy a SIM card and then top up your balance when you need. The prepaid cards from the main operators are valid for 12 months. If you don’t use your device much, the top up will be good for up to 12 months.

It is possible to top up in supermarkets, operator stores, or online. The three main operators all offer a basic option, with rates that vary slightly.

What could also be of interest in the prepaid offers are the packages that you can subscribe to via your device (and will be deducted from your credit). Certain packages are permanent while others are temporary offers.

Packages include minutes, texts, and data. You can choose a package that has the right combination of these depending on your communication preferences.

Check mobile network coverage in New Zealand

Mobile network coverage is not perfect in New Zealand (though it is improving), and you may find yourself without signal in certain parts of the country. All operators promise coverage for where 97% of Kiwis live. However, many remote regions, though beautiful to visit, are not covered. Though they are all comparable, it would seem that One NZ (previously Vodafone) and Spark might be more reliable than 2degrees.

Compare coverage for various operators via the following links:

• 2degrees coverage
• One NZ coverage
• Spark coverage

SIM cards generally cost between $5 and $10. Some operators might even provide it for free. Check for available offers on their websites.