Best eSIM for Traveling to New Zealand in 2025

Are you planning your trip to New Zealand and would like to stay connected with an eSIM? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an eSIM when traveling to New Zealand including a comparison of the best New Zealand eSIMs for 2025.

Don't waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendations below and order an eSIM for New Zealand on the internet and get connected in just a couple minutes. Find up to date prices as per January 2025, including all specifications per tourist eSIM.

This guide explains where and when to order an eSIM for New Zealand, FAQ about using eSIMs, more about the network coverage and 4G/5G data speed and more.

Table of Contents

Since 2012 I am already traveling the world full time and throughout the years I turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger. That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected.

In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad. On my latest trips to New Zealand I tested the below recommended New Zealand eSIMs for tourists.

Also find on Traveltomtom a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in New Zealand in 2025 as well as a guide for buying a tourist sim card at Auckland Airport.

Some links in this article about the best eSIMs for New Zealand are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

My recommendation

Before giving you my New Zealand eSIM recommendation read the following carefully:

Make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible. If not, an eSIM won't work on your phone!

1. 15 GB Jetpac eSIM for New Zealand for $24 USD

• 20 GB data-only eSIM
• Valid in New Zealand & Australia
• Valid for 30 days
• Operates on the Spark & 2degrees network
• 5G ready
• Only $1.6 USD per Gigabyte

Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for New Zealand.

The best value tourist eSIM for New Zealand is from Jetpac. They have several eSIMs, some that with a rate as low as $1.35 USD. No other eSIM provider can beat the Jetpac rates for New Zealand.

Plus the Jetpac eSIMs for New Zealand operates on the Spark mobile network, the best 4G/5G data network in New Zealand.

2. 30 GB Vodafone eSIM from Airhub for $30 USD

• 30 GB data-only eSIM
• Valid in New Zealand only
• Valid for 30 days
• $1USD per Gigabyte

Click here to order this Vodafone eSIM via Airhub.

This Vodafone eSIM for New Zealand looks like the best eSIM for New Zealand, but a lot of questions are left unanswered.

Fact is that it is a great value eSIM with a rate of $1 USD per Gigabyte. But disadvantage is that it is immediately activated upon installation. It literally says to wait with scanning the eSIM QR code when you arrive in New Zealand.

Neither is clear if this eSIM supports 5G and if it comes with a phone number and supports incoming and outgoing calls. Therefore listed as no 2 and not as the best eSIM for New Zealand.

Is New Zealand one of your stops on a trip to the Pacific or around the world then you can also look into getting an eSIM for world travelers. There are a bunch of eSIMs that cover multiple countries and regions.

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Comparison of the best eSIMs for New Zealand

As of 2025 tourists can now also buying an eSIM on arrival in New Zealand, but wouldn't it be much easier to arrive prepared and be online as soon as the plane lands?

Luckily there are multiple eSIM providers on the internet that sell New Zealand eSIMs for tourists. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for traveling in New Zealand from one of the well-known eSIM providers like Airalo, Saily, aloSIM, Ubigi, SimOptions, Nomad, Jetpac, Holafly, Sim Local, Airhub, etc. that have proven to be reliable operators.

The competition is fierce... so before you buy a New Zealand eSIM first read all my tips below!

Jetpac

Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider that has earned its stripes quickly in the eSIM industry. Jetpac offers more services for travelers then just eSIMs. They also offer free VPN subscriptions and airport lounge access.

Read our full Jetpac Review here.

Jetpac is a perfect eSIM for traveling to Australia and New Zealand as both countries are included in their plans.

Here are the Jetpac New Zealand eSIM plans:

• 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
• 3 GB data for 7 days = $8 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
• 15 GB data for 30 days = $24 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $44 USD
• 40 GB data for 30 days = $54 USD

Click here for more info or to order the Jetpac New Zealand eSIM.

The Jetpac New Zealand eSIM plan with 20 GB data for just $30 USD makes it also the best value eSIM for New Zealand as well as for Asia/Pacific with a rate of only $1.5 USD per Gigabyte.

The Jetpac New Zealand eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls and sms are not supported. These eSIMs do not come with a phone number and they operate on the Spark and 2degrees 4G/5G network in New Zealand. Yes the Jetpac eSIMs for New Zealand are 5G ready.

You can instal your Jetpac eSIM before your trip to New Zealand, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in New Zealand or one of the other supported countries. That moment your days also start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.

An extra advantage of Jetpac eSIMs is that they provide a free VPN as well as free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other eSIM provider offers. For more info check the Jetpac website.

Airhub

The conclusion of the Traveltomtom Team when testing Airhub was that it is a marketplace for eSIMs. Read here the full independent Airhub review.

Sometimes the available eSIMs is a bit overwhelming as there are too many eSIMs available and you can not sort or filter them on the Airhub website.

Here are some of the most popular eSIMs for New Zealand from Airhub:

• 2 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
• 4 GB data for 30 days = $9.5 USD
• 7 GB data for 30 days = $14.5 USD
• 12 GB data for 30 days = $23.5 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD

Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for New Zealand via Airhub.

Disadvantage about the Airhub eSIMs is that are activated instantly after installations, even when you are not in New Zealand. Which means it is best to wait with activating your eSIM when in New Zealand. Which takes away all the convenience of being online as soon as the plane lands.

This is definitely a major con about Airhub.

When you click on the eSIMs you get more detailed info, but even then some vital info is missing on the Airhub New Zealand eSIMs. Are they data-only or is calling and texting supported? Are thy 5G ready? Many unanswered questions...

Positive is that they have competitive prices and a lot of different eSIMs to choose from.

SimOptions

SimOptions is another very reputable eSIM provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your tourist eSIM for New Zealand through SimOptions is done fast and easy.

Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest eSIM deals. Read our honest SimOptions review here.

Why using SimOptions? When it comes to New Zealand eSIMs SimOptions has much better eSIM plans than Airalo and is therefore also recommended as one of the best eSIMs for New Zealand.

Here are the New Zealand eSIMs from SimOptions for 2025:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $4.5 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $4.5 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD*
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD*
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $39.90 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $55.90 USD
• 50 GB data for 60 days = $89.90 USD

*valid in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, UK & USA.

Click here to order a SimOptions eSIM for New Zealand.

The Three HK eSIMs is a Hong Kong based eSIM and it has been reported that TikTok is blocked on this eSIM. The advantage of these Three HK eSIMs are that they come with a phone number that starts with +852. Technically incoming phone calls and sms are supported.

Unfortunately SimOptions doesn't specify exactly which mobile network operator in New Zealand they use but pretty much all of them are 5G ready.

The other SimOptions eSIMs for New Zealand do NOT come with a phone number and they do not offer incoming/outgoing calls or sms services. The validity of these eSIMs is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the eSIM, even if you are not in New Zealand. For more info check the SimOptions website.

Airalo

Airalo is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using Airalo for ordering an eSIM.

Normally Airalo is always one of my top recommendations but the Airalo eSIM plans for New Zealand are more expensive compared to other eSIM operators.

Here are the Airalo data-only eSIM plans for New Zealand for 2025:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $8.5 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $27 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $44 USD

Click here to order an eSIM for New Zealand from Airalo.

The Airalo eSIMs for New Zealand are from Nzcom and they operate on the 4G/LTE network of One. Unfortunately the Airalo Nzcom eSIMs for New Zealand are not 5G ready. Side note, there isn't much 5G yet in New Zealand as of 2025 apart from the big cities.

In the most famous places to visit in New Zealand you will find a 4G/LTE signal and the data speed is reasonably good these days. New Zealand is not the most advanced country when it comes to the mobile data network. Facts!

For more info about the best 4G/5G network in New Zealand check my complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for tourists for New Zealand in 2025, including network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.

All the Airalo eSIMs are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website.

aloSIM

Another eSIM provider that came positive out of our tests is aloSIM. The Traveltomtom wrote an independent aloSIM review after testing their services.

Here are the aloSIM eSIM plans for New Zealand for 2025:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $8.5 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $27 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $44 USD

Click here to order an eSIM for New Zealand from aloSIM.

First conclusion is that the aloSIM New Zealand eSIM packages and prices are an exact copy of Airalo.

The aloSIM eSIMs for New Zealand are 5G ready though and they operate on the mobile network of One (former Vodafone) in New Zealand.

The aloSIM eSIMs are data-only but aloSIM offers a service called Hushed with its eSIMs that gives you an international phone number and allow you to make and receive calls. Hushed is an exclusive service from aloSIM.

Nomad

Nomad is another eSIM provider that has loads of different eSIMs and plans for New Zealand and many other countries around the world. But in general it is not Traveltomtom's first pick.

Here are the Nomad eSIM plans for New Zealand:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $9 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
• 15 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $23 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $60 USD
• 50 GB data for 30 days = $90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for New Zealand via Nomad.

The Nomad eSIMs are from eSIM Go and use the Spark 4G/LTE network in New Zealand. 5G is not supported.

The Nomad eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported. They do not come with a phone number.

These Nomad eSIMs for New Zealand have great value and go as low as $1.15 USD per Gigabyte.

They also have daily plans that you give you a set number of Gigabyte per day. You can choose from 1 GB, 2 GB, 3 GB per day for a set price.

The Nomad New Zealand eSIMs have to be installed on your phone within 30 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in New Zealand. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.

Holafly

Holafly is another well-known eSIM provider but unlike other eSIM providers they only offer eSIMs with unlimited data. However, there is a catch and that is a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy). More about it later, but it could mean that you suddenly have a very slow data connection for a whole day until the data speed restores.

Here are the Holafly unlimited data eSIM plans for New Zealand:

• 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
• 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
• 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
• 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
• 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
• 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
• 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
• 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
• 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
• 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
• 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
• 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
• 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
• 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD

As you can see the Holafly eSIMs are significantly more expensive than Jetpac, Airalo, Nomad and SimOptions. The Holafly eSIMs for New Zealand are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do also not come with a phone number.

According to the Holafly website these Holafly New Zealand eSIMs are 5G ready and they operate on the Spark and Vodafone network in New Zealand.

You can use a hotspot on the Holafly eSIMs, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.

Why 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.

Imagine being on a 10 hour bus or train ride and after 2 hours you will get a message that you used too much data for the day. Then you have to wait 24 hours for the data speed to be reset to normal.

If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of eSIMs with 'unlimited' data with an FUP and therefore it is not my first recommendation when looking for an eSIM for New Zealand.

Also, the Traveltomtom Team tested Holafly in some another countries and was pretty disappointed with the overall performance. In a certain country Holafly was using the weakest mobile data network operator and while people all around constantly had a proper data connection, the Holafly eSIM did not even have signal. Even in big cities the struggle was real and we constantly had to ask for the public WiFi of the hotel or restaurant because the Holafly eSIM was super slow.

I understand it could be a different story in New Zealand but Traveltomtom was put off a bit by Holafly eSIMs.

What is the cheapest eSIM for New Zealand?

Unbeatable are the Jetpac eSIM deals for New Zealand for just $1 USD. You get 1 GB data for 4 days. Airhub has an eSIM for New Zealand with 2 GB data for just $4.5 USD.

Other cheap eSIMs for New Zealand is an eSIM from Nomad for just $4 USD with 1 GB data for 7 days. Airalo and SimOptions offer the same eSIM plan but charges $4.5 USD.

All these eSIMs are only valid in New Zealand and do not support calling and texting.

Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in New Zealand

eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to New Zealand in 2025 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.

The most important reason to get an eSIM is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to New Zealand without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.

One of the best things about arriving in New Zealand with an activated eSIM is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM later.

There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to New Zealand, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to New Zealand so much more convenient and fun!

At the same time we don't want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2025.

eSIMs are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!

Helping other travelers to save money while traveling the world is one of the reasons I started this travel blog. Providing essential travel tips is what made me start writing sim card guides from every country I visited and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.

Traveltomtom also wrote specific and in-depth guides for buying eSIMs in: Australia, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Asia, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Europe, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, USA, Canada, international eSIMs and many more.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money while traveling!

Overseas data roaming plans

So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed. Do you have the patience to handle 3G? It is frustrating when all around you in pretty much every amazing tourist destinations in New Zealand there is 4G/LTE available.

And price-wise it should be a no brainer since you have seen how affordable the eSIMs for New Zealand are.

Uncountable times travel friends have asked me: “Tom, can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!” Trust me, get yourself an eSIM or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to New Zealand. Spend a couple dollars extra and be connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.

Where to buy an eSIM for New Zealand?

Online

You can only buy an eSIM for New Zealand on the internet through an eSIM provider. There are uncountable eSIM providers for New Zealand. Traveltomtom compared multiple eSIM providers and concluded that the above mentioned ones are the best and mot reliable eSIM providers in 2025.

When buying an eSIM for New Zealand through one of the above recommended eSIM providers you only need your email address and the eSIM is instantly ready to use after installation. There is no ID registration needed.

On arrival in New Zealand

There are 3 main mobile internet provider in New Zealand: One (former Vodafone), Spark and 2degrees and as per 2025 they now also sell eSIMs for tourists as well as physical prepaid sim cards.

For more info about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in New Zealand in 2025 click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in New Zealand, including a comparison of the 4G/5G network.

Flying into New Zealand and landing in Auckland then you can buy a tourist sim card for New Zealand on arrival at the airport. Although you will find sim card shops from Spark and One (former Vodafone).

When to order/activate an eSIM for New Zealand?

You can order an eSIM for New Zealand pretty much any time you want. Most eSIMs have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.

More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIMs only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.

Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM on the day of departure to New Zealand or before. When in New Zealand you will need an internet connection to instal your eSIM. Every international airport in New Zealand has free WiFi so you could use that to install your eSIM. Just make sure it is a stable internet connection and therefore Traveltomtom advices you to install/activate your eSIM in your home country.

My personal advice is to instal your tourist eSIM for New Zealand before you get into the plane and as soon as the plane lands you will be connected without any problems.

How do I know all this? Traveltomtom has visited New Zealand twice and traveled around the North and South Island in a mobile home for 1 month.

I also wrote a blog about buying a sim card at Auckland Airport and there is also a vlog on my YouTube channel about my arrival at Auckland Airport and buying a prepaid sim card for traveling in New Zealand.

How to activate an eSIM

Installing and activating an eSIM is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email. But wait, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code.

When you order an eSIM plan for New Zealand you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.

You will see a summary of your eSIM order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your New Zealand eSIM.

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But installing an activating an eSIM is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM on. The QR contains all the information about your New Zealand eSIM.

Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM is successfully installed.

Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.

Tip: if you order an eSIM with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.

Things to know before ordering an eSIM for New Zealand

Here are some general tips for using eSIMs when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for New Zealand eSIMs, but are things you have to know before buying an eSIM in general.

Make sure your phone is unlocked

To make sure you didn't miss this, let me say this again: eSIMs only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM without any problems.

If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to New Zealand. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.

If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to New Zealand or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to New Zealand and use it as a portable WiFi device.

Which smartphones support eSIMs?

Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM is if your smartphone supports eSIMs. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support eSIMs.

The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that!

If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM for traveling to New Zealand.

However, you can still order a sim card for New Zealand on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for New Zealand in 2025 or find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2025.

Can I trust these eSIM providers?

All the eSIM providers for New Zealand recommended above are reputable eSIM providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in New Zealand.

Traveltomtom has used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards now for more than 5 years and never really faced a major issue.

The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested and reviewed Nomad and they have proven to be a reliable eSIM provider. However, some mixed reviews have come back from the Traveltomtom Team about connectivity and activation.

Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider, but Traveltomtom only received positive feedback and excellent reviews about the eSIMs and services of Jetpac.

Since Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with unlimited data and an FUP I hardly use Holafly, but when I did I was not happy. So now I let the Traveltomtom Team randomly test Holafly and just like myself, mixed reviews have come back. Some positive, some negative.

Traveltomtom does NOT sell New Zealand eSIMs, Traveltomtom only compares and recommends you to use eSIMs for traveling to New Zealand.

All eSIM providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.

Can I keep my phone number from home with a New Zealand eSIM?

Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM to stay connected when traveling to New Zealand. An eSIM can be used next to your physical or eSIM from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM.

So you can have multiple eSIMs installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!

For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new New Zealand eSIM you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.

This is also the trick to keep receiving sms for example for OTP (one time password) sms to login to applications.

Switching between physical and eSIMs is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. Just always make sure your sim card from home is switched off for data roaming.

Can I make phone calls with a New Zealand eSIM?

No, unfortunately all the tourist eSIMs for New Zealand available on the internet do NOT include calling and texting.

If you buy a prepaid sim card for tourists on arrival in New Zealand in a store or at the airport then you get calling and texting included.

Does a New Zealand eSIM come with a phone number?

In general the eSIMs for New Zealand that you buy on the internet do not come with a phone number, which also means you can not receive any phone calls or sms.

The Three HK eSIM that you can buy via SimOptions comes with a phone number from Hong Kong that starts with +852 and it allows you to receive sms. There is not credit on it, so you can't receive phone calls outside of Hong Kong.

Can I use 5G on a New Zealand eSIM?

Yes, as of 2025 most of the eSIMs for New Zealand are now 5G ready.

Airalo and Nomad are staying behind and only offer 4G/LTE max data speed.

That said, there is also still not much 5G available in New Zealand as of January 2025, although 4G/LTE is widespread in most tourist destinations in New Zealand and data speed is ok.

In general the data speed in New Zealand is not spectacular!

Are there eSIMs for New Zealand with unlimited data?

Yes, the Holafly eSIMs for New Zealand include unlimited data. However, Traveltomtom is not a big fan of unlimited data sim cards.

Always ask yourself is unlimited truly unlimited. Is there a catch? If the unlimited data is not on max data speed, then there is a so called FUP. Which means that your data speed will be capped after you used an X amount of Gigabytes.

Holafly is an eSIM provider that sells eSIMs with unlimited data for New Zealand and uses a so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP). Holafly does NOT specify what the FUP is. Which is very concerning!

Traveltomtom does NOT recommend New Zealand eSIMs with unlimited data plans with an FUP. On Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. After I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.

Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media was not even loading!

Especially on days that you have a long bus or train ride and you need a lot of data, you definitely don't want any data speed restrictions that day.

Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend eSIMs for New Zealand with unlimited data. But if you think you will never use more than 2 GB per day, then Holafly might be your favorite eSIM.

However, if you don't use so much data per day then what's the point of an eSIM with unlimited data!?

The Jetpac eSIM for New Zealand for $28 USD gives you 20 GB data. There is no real need for an eSIM with unlimited data unless you want to upload your whole camera roll to Google Drive or iCloud via 4G/LTE instead of WiFi.

Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to New Zealand?

eSIMs are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to New Zealand, but what is the best way?

There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to New Zealand:

• Local prepaid sim cards
• International prepaid sim cards
• eSIMs

Let's compare eSIMs, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.

Local prepaid sim cards

In general if you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip. However, not in New Zealand.

The local prepaid sim cards for tourists you can buy in stores or at the airport on arrival in New Zealand are more expensive than prepaid and eSIMs that you buy on the internet.

The big difference is that a local New Zealand prepaid sim card can only be purchased on arrival in New Zealand in a phone store and NOT on the internet.

The advantage of local prepaid sim cards is that they come with calling minutes for New Zealand and Australia and unlimited texting to both countries.

More info about the best New Zealand sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for New Zealand in 2025.

International prepaid sim cards

If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to New Zealand. Some of them are great for New Zealand as well as in all other countries in for example Europe, Americas and Asia and you can easily order them online.

If after visiting New Zealand you are traveling onwards in Asia then check Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling internationally in 2025.

A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!

Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for New Zealand directly online.

eSIMs

As explained throughout the article there are two different eSIMs:

• eSIMs that you buy on the internet through a third party
• eSIMs that you buy in New Zealand in a mobile internet provider store

As per 2025 you can now also get prepaid eSIMs in phone stores of Spark, One and 2degrees in New Zealand.

Even at the international airports in New Zealand they now eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards for tourists. For more info check out my guide for buying a sim card at Auckland Airport.

eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards

Getting an eSIM on the internet is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to New Zealand, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to New Zealand. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival in New Zealand.

As soon as the plane lands, you are online!

Price difference

But what is cheaper? An eSIM or a local prepaid sim card for tourists?

Surprisingly, eSIMs are the best value sim cards for New Zealand. The eSIMs that you order on the internet are cheaper than the local prepaid sim cards.

Local prepaid sim cards charge around $4 to $6 USD per Gigabyte and on the internet some of the eSIMs for New Zealand go down to only $1.67 USD per Gigabyte.

This definitely isn't always the case, New Zealand is one of the few exceptions. But this makes it very easy for the conclusion: buy your sim card for staying connected when traveling to New Zealand on the internet!

Local prepaid sim cards can only be bought in New Zealand in a sim card shop and a tourist eSIM can only be bought on the internet, it literally takes jest 2 minutes.

The best New Zealand prepaid sim card plan for tourists gives you 8 GB data for $29 USD, but for just $25 USD you get an eSIM with 15 GB data.

For more info check out my article about the best prepaid sim cards for New Zealand in 2025.

After a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected. With eSIMs you buy on the internet you are connected as soon as the plane lands. For this convenience Traveltomtom definitely recommends to order one of the listed best eSIMs for New Zealand in the comparison above.

Many reasons why a lot of travelers simply get an eSIM for New Zealand. Faster, easier, less stress and even cheaper depending on how much data you need.

Data speed

Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM is that eSIMs are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO's operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.

This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIMs through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIMs is less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator.

Bottomline: the data speed of eSIMs can be less compared to a local prepaid New Zealand sim card.

I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM for your trip to New Zealand were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison, tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your eSIM for New Zealand right away.

If you still have any questions about eSIMs then please leave me a comment below and I am more than happy to help you out.

Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.

Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.

Enjoy your trip to New Zealand!