New Zealand has three mobile networks — Spark, One NZ (formerly Vodafone), and 2degrees — plus several MVNO brands (Skinny, Warehouse Mobile) that use those networks. Whether you’re looking for the cheapest prepay plan, a SIM-only monthly deal, or a family plan, this section covers everything.
Networks: 2degrees, One NZ, Spark (3 physical networks)
Lowest listed plan prices: Skinny prepay from $8 per 4 weeks; 2degrees pay monthly from $35/month; One NZ pay monthly from $40/month (full price table)
5G: live in parts of some cities
Paid-off phone: a SIM-only plan avoids paying handset repayments in your monthly bill
Mobile Cluster Guides
- Mobile Plans NZ Compared by Price and Data
- Prepay Plans NZ Compared
- SIM-Only Plans NZ Compared
- Family Mobile Plans NZ Compared
- Spark vs One NZ vs 2degrees: Networks Compared
- eSIM NZ Guide
- Mobile Data Roaming NZ
Mobile Provider Reviews
- 2degrees Mobile Review NZ: its own network, carryover and unlimited plans
- One NZ Mobile Review: formerly Vodafone NZ, its own network
- Skinny Mobile Review NZ: Spark’s budget brand, prepay plans on Spark’s network
- Spark Mobile Review NZ: Spark’s own network, prepay and pay monthly
NZ Mobile Networks — How They Work
Three Physical Networks
Only three companies operate actual physical mobile infrastructure in NZ:
- Spark — Largest network, best rural coverage overall
- One NZ (formerly Vodafone NZ) — Strong urban 5G, good coverage
- 2degrees — Excellent regional/rural coverage; strong value
All other mobile brands in NZ (Skinny, Warehouse Mobile, Kiwi Mobile, etc.) are MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that buy capacity from one of these three networks and resell it under their own brand.
5G Coverage
5G is available in major NZ urban centres from all three networks (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga). Coverage is expanding. For rural and regional areas, 4G LTE remains the dominant technology.
Rural Coverage
Rural coverage varies meaningfully between the three networks:
- Spark has the most extensive rural coverage overall (built on a historically dominant network)
- 2degrees has invested heavily in rural coverage and now rivals Spark in many regions
- One NZ has good regional coverage but slightly less rural reach than Spark
Plan Types
- Prepay: paid up front, usually renewing on a 28-day or monthly cycle. See prepay plans compared.
- Monthly SIM-only: a monthly plan without a handset, for a phone you already own. See SIM-only plans compared.
- Phone and plan bundle: a monthly plan that includes handset repayments, so it costs more each month than SIM-only with the same data.
- Family and group plans: several connections on one account. See family mobile plans compared.
For plan prices side by side, see mobile plans compared by price and data.