Best eSIM For New Zealand (Local & International Options)

Benefits of Getting an eSim in New Zealand

The bigger cities in New Zealand have quite a few free WiFi spots throughout them, but you will need mobile data if you want to have Internet access all the time. Especially if you plan to explore the regions that are outside the bigger cities since the WiFi coverage in those places is pretty scarce.

Always having Internet access at your fingertips is the main benefit of getting a New Zealand eSim. You can check directions on maps whenever you want, use social media, send emails, and do whatever else you want to do with the Internet.

The main downside of eSims for New Zealand is that most of them don’t include a local phone number, so you won’t be able to send/receive texts or make phone calls. But you will still have access to your regular phone number and you can use WhatsApp or a similar service for all of those.

Also, if you want a sim card with a phone number, you should look into providers that offer physical sim cards, if your phone still supports one. Those come with (un)limited mobile data and a phone number, and you can use them just like regular sim cards.

Local Mobile Operators Offering eSims in New Zealand

Spark was the first network operator to start offering eSims in New Zealand. However, they only offer these to government and corporate customers, and it’s currently still not available for regular customers to purchase eSim mobile plans from Spark.

The operator does have a few different travel packages for tourists, but they only include a physical sim card. The upside is that you’ll get the phone number, but the downside is that you have no use for this if your phone doesn’t support physical sim cards.

Vodafone also offers eSims, but only for postpaid monthly plans. It’s not possible to purchase a prepaid eSim from them; however, they offer travel sim cards for tourists that include a phone number plus some free texts and minutes, as well as up to 100 GB of mobile data, depending on the plan.

It’s worth noting that Vodafone’s tourist sim cards can be used in other countries in addition to New Zealand.

2degrees is another network provider in New Zealand that offers eSims to all of its customers. They even offer eSims for prepaid plans, but the catch is that you can’t purchase an eSim online. I’m not sure if you have to purchase a prepaid plan first and then go to a shop to set up an eSim, or if you can just walk into a shop and set up everything on the spot.

But this might be the best option for travelers because 2degrees has the best coverage in the more remote areas of New Zealand so you’ll be able to stay connected no matter where you are.

Also, this provider makes it super easy to purchase more data once you’ve spent everything originally included in the plan, and you can do so online.

Devices Compatible with eSim in New Zealand

All the devices that support eSims will be compatible with eSims in New Zealand. This includes all iPhones and some Androids released in the past three-four years. All iPhones since the XS (including the XS) support eSims, while for Androids the feature is still found mostly on flagship smartphones.

Google, Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, and others have included eSim compatibility in their devices, but like to reserve the feature for their most expensive phones. In any case, you can dial *#06# to check if your phone supports embedded sim cards. When you press call, you’ll get a list with multiple ID numbers; if you see an EID number, it means that your smartphone is compatible with eSims.

Data Needed When Traveling to New Zealand

Not sure how much data you need when traveling to New Zealand? Consider how long you’re staying and what you want to use the mobile data for. If you’re staying in the country for a short period (a week or less), and you only need the data to check maps for directions and social media, you should be fine with a few Gigabytes.

I sometimes go through an entire month and use 2-4 GB of data, even though I have mobile data turned on constantly, and often use it at home instead of WiFi.

On the other hand, if you’re staying in the country longer, or you want to use the Internet like you do at home (watch videos, download music, or even work), you should look for plans with a larger data allowance.

Unlimited data plans are also worth considering, just keep in mind that they don’t always let you create a hotspot, so they’re not the best option if you’re going to use the eSim on your phone but want to work on your laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions

RELATED POST: BEST PREPAID SIM CARD FOR NEW ZEALAND