The Best eSIMs for New Zealand 🇳🇿
- Updated: November 13, 2022 | Published: August 21, 2022
Are you traveling to New Zealand? Then you should definitely not travel without an Internet connection. Whether it’s a personal trip or a business trip to New Zealand, you should not travel without mobile internet.
There are several options to connect to the Internet in New Zealand, however, an eSIM is our clear recommendation. In this article we compare different New Zealand eSIMs.
💡 Click here to see the eSIM comparison table
We will advise you on your choice of the best eSIM New Zealand, so that you can always travel connected while on vacation. We pay attention to price, duration, data volume, service, technical support & more.
What is an eSIM?
The eSIM is a new form of the traditional SIM card that we use every day. What makes it special is that the SIM chip is already built into the new smartphones. It is also called an “embedded” SIM, which is where the “e” of eSIM comes from. By integrating the chip inside the phone, it is possible to virtually activate the desired data tariffs.
There are two different ways to do this, either you manage the data rates with the help of an app that serves as a SIM card manager. Or you scan a QR code and the data device activates itself.
Advantages of an eSIM for New Zealand
The eSIM offers various advantages over the normal SIM card that you may not have thought of before. These include, for example:
- Greener: Protect the environment by buying an eSIM. Eliminate plastic cards, paper for packaging and CO2 emissions during shipping.
- Save time: Because the delivery is done by email, you save time waiting for the delivery or standing in line at the store. After two clicks you have your eSIM.
- Availability: By getting your eSIM from the online store, you are free to buy your eSIM from anywhere in the world at any time, even if you are already in New Zealand.
How do I activate the eSIM with data plan for New Zealand?
We were really surprised how easy it was to use. People are sometimes a bit cautious with new technologies, but with the eSIM, you definitely don’t need to be. It’s actually as easy as everyone always says it is.
If you get the data plan in the form of a QR code, then at the appropriate time you go to your settings app on your phone. There, a camera will open up under the “Add Data Plan” section. After scanning, you label the new eSIM for New Zealand and select this “profile” as active.
The steps follow one after the other and you are automatically and self-explanatory redirected. Anyone can do this, even those who are not particularly technically experienced. In addition, with most eSIM providers, step-by-step instructions are also added to your email.
What do I have to consider when buying a New Zealand eSIM?
To avoid problems later on when using your eSIM New Zealand, it is important that you check the compatibility of your device and the product variant before buying.
Compatibility
Because the eSIM is a very new product, it does not work with all phone models. Only the newer smartphones have the new dual eSIM technologies. So that you don’t end up without data in New Zealand, you should check compatibility before you buy. We simply checked the list of compatible smartphones on the eSIM provider’s websites. You will actually find all the information you need there.
Which eSIM package should you choose?
You should get an overview of how much data you use on average in advance to be able to estimate which data plan is right for you. We know friends who need significantly more data volume on vacation than at home. This can happen quickly when you want to share your new experiences on Instagram from the road or Google many sights during the city tour to learn more about the history.
However, especially on vacation, you sometimes want to sit in front of screens less, which is why you consciously put your phone away. For this reason, you must first empathize with yourself and think about what you want to use the map for. If you have difficulties, you can also ask experts for advice or look for suitable articles that explain exactly how you can estimate your data consumption.
The Best eSIMs for New Zealand
Below you see a curated list of providers that offer eSIMs for New Zealand at an affordable price with a reliable internet service in New Zealand.
What do I do when the data on my New Zealand eSIM is used up?
It’s good to have a data plan that’s perfect for your trip. But don’t worry if you run out of data even before your trip ends. As mentioned before, one of the advantages of New Zealand eSIM is that you can order it regardless of your location.
This means that you can order another data plan at short notice if you realize that the planned one will not be sufficient. After all, it can always happen that you have to apply for things due to unexpected events or have to discuss a lot with your family at home.
My phone is not compatible with the New Zealand eSIM - is there an alternative?
Too bad… If you found out that your current phone is not compatible with the eSIM, don’t worry yet. There are other internet alternatives for New Zealand.
SIM Card
Various providers send the traditional New Zealand prepaid SIM cards to your home before you leave. There are almost unlimited options available with different durations.
For the sake of completeness, we also mention the other alternatives for Internet in New Zealand. For us, these options are less of an option, but they may be just right for your needs.
Pocket WiFi
The Pocket WiFis are portable WiFi routers, which are especially well-known in Asia. You can connect several devices at the same time, just like with a normal router. However, you always have another bulky device in your luggage, which has to be recharged after 13 hours of runtime.
Public WiFi
It is definitely the cheapest option, but it must be clearly mentioned here that you are not allowed to enter any personal information, transactions or passwords while you are connected to a public WiFi.
The networks are rather insecure and many hackers use this to their advantage. We do check Instagram from time to time if we happen to come across a public wifi during our trip. However, we only use this as a supplement to the New Zealand eSIM.
Roaming
Almost everyone knows someone, or was perhaps ready to be someone, who came home unsuspecting and found an incredibly high phone bill at home after a relaxing vacation. Since you can quickly and unintentionally get rid of half a fortune here, we clearly advise against roaming as an Internet option.
Holiday in New Zealand
New Zealand overwhelms with a breathtaking variety of scenic beauty, so travel to New Zealand will leave lasting impressions. What does a New Zealand vacation have in store?
Natural landscapes of all kinds
One thing distinguishes this beautiful country in the Pacific and that is the almost indescribable beauty of nature. Here you will find endless sandy beaches on the coasts, rugged cliffs and rivers teeming with fish. Snow-capped mountains and grasslands contrast with rainforests.
Trips to New Zealand are trips to a country full of scenic attractions and are preferably booked by people who are looking for an individual and unusual vacation. Backpackers are still among the vacationers who want to spend their free days in New Zealand.
Nevertheless, the trend is also gradually moving towards making trips to New Zealand attractive for short-break vacationers with a high budget.
Auckland
There is no doubt that Auckland is one of the most desirable destinations in New Zealand. The city is almost completely surrounded by the sea and shaped by volcanoes. You can get a truly breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding landscape from the Sky Tower.
If you want to experience an incredible adrenaline kick, you can also leave the Sky Tower via a 100m abseil tour. Karangahape Road is the number one address for exceptional dining and shopping.
But also the Aukland Museum is not to be missed. Here you get an insight into the culture of the country while traveling through New Zealand.
On the trail of Lord of the Rings
Travel to New Zealand experienced a real boom when this fabulous natural landscape was the backdrop for the successful Lord of the Rings trilogy. But it’s not just film fans who can get boundlessly excited about this.
Round trips to the individual film locations are very popular and if you really want to tear yourself away from the earthly world and become part of another world, then the landscapes of New Zealand are the ideal place to do so.
Excellent wines
Culinary specialties can be discovered in every country. Vacations in New Zealand hold an appealing variety especially for wine connoisseurs. Wines from New Zealand enjoy a high reputation and trips to New Zealand are often used to visit the impressive wine-growing regions.
eSIM Reviews
Super value ! And so easy to install.
Super value ! And so easy to install. Better than normal sim card. Very convenient for me to buy it before I traveled to Germany. Like it alot !! [Maya Mobile]
Used the e sim in italy
Used the service in Italy for my wife and I. iPhone and Android. Excellent pricing and no issues with cellular data in italy. It is not entirely easy to install, but it is fairly simple. [Airalo]
need to purchase a new esim to get more data
My only complaint is that, is that there is no top up options and you need to purchase a new esim to get more data [SimOptions]