Heading To NZ. Cell-WiFi Advice

[MARC D]

Hi all,

I'll be in New Zealand next month, joining a boat at Whangarei Port. First time overthere.
I will have about 2 hours in Auckland to get a SIM card and hopefully an Internet connection.

Anyone has a recommendation? Stores at Akl Inter. or near Nakedbus Station in Auckland?

Many thanks!

Marc

[smbragg]

Was there two years ago and picked up free SIM card for iPhone at Visitor's Tourism Center (i-Site) at Sky City. Also bought minutes on Vodafone account--worked out of Whangarei and Opua-Pahia. Sky City is under the tower right downtown.
Vodafone’s Travel NZ SIM is now available in the following i-SITE centres:

i-SITE Devonport
i-SITE International Airport
i-SITE Princes Wharf
i-SITE Sky City
i-SITE Waiheke Island
i-SITE Warkworth

Hopefully, you'll be near one of those. IF not, there is an i-Site in Whangarei. Good luck and enjoy.

[MARC D]

Great info!! Many thanks!!

[Wannabe-007]

2 Degrees Mobile is generally the cheapest option. (Vodafone and Spark, formerly Telecom NZ, are the other options and they are generally much of a muchness - although Telecom operates on different frequencies, so make sure your working before you walk away from the store)

There is a Whitcoulls in the International terminal where you can buy a 2Degrees SIM.
Website is here: 2degrees - 2degrees Mobile


You can see all the plans etc available there also.

You have a few options for internet but the simplest is just to include it with your mobile plan and use that. All the networks will offer you a USB dongle if you're that way inclined.

There's free Wifi around the place in typical cafes etc...

[MARC D]

I'll print this out and take it me!!

Thanks guys!

[Sails Rock]

Vodaphone seems to provide better coverage than Spark in remote locations like Great Barrier Island.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Wannabe-007]

Coverage is a pretty mute point these days... unless you're talking about 4G (high speed data).

2/ 2.5 / 3G is all pretty well covered.
2Degrees has a slight advantage because they roam on to Vodafones (note the 'f') network when they dont have coverage themselves (or at least they used to).