Using Cell Phones in New Zealand

Before you leave home think about how you are going to make phonecalls when you are in New Zealand. A little time spent considering your options may save you a small fortune in phone bills.

The two most frequent types of call you are likely to make in New Zealand are:

1. Calling family, friends, or site staff (who live either in New Zealand or back home)
2. Making reservations for accommodation, activities and trips

A lot of people take and use their own mobile phone and return home to an unexpectedly large bill at the end of their holiday.

Before you travel

Check your existing mobile rates to find out how much it will cost you to make and receive calls in New Zealand. Charges of NZ$2-4 per minute are not unusual. Ask your network provider or visit their web site.

Options

• Use your own mobile phone and pay expensive international roaming charges for all calls made and received. (NOT RECOMMENDED) 
• Take your own mobile phone but insert a local New Zealand SIM card to reduce call costs . Buy SIM card either at home or in New Zealand.
• Rent a phone in New Zealand with a local number or buy a track phone with pre-paid minutes.
• A trusty calling card is never bad to have!

 

How to make a phone call

New Zealand’s country code is “64”. When calling New Zealand from abroad, you must also dial the area code (without the “0”).

For example: 00 + 64 + city area code + local number

If you want to call abroad from New Zealand, you must dial “00” followed by the country code of the country you call to.

For example: 00 + country code + city area code + local number

Phone numbers in New Zealand have 7 digits and one additional area code. New Zealand has different area codes for different cities:

Forget regular calls, make Wi-fi calls. Which app is best for you?

 

POWER

WILL I NEED A NEW ZEALAND POWER PLUG ADAPTER AND/OR CONVERTER?

Yes, you probably do need a New Zealand power plug adapter when you’re travelling to New Zealand. The reason is, the plugs that are connected to your appliances, won’t fit into the New Zealand outlets. If you plan to take your electrical toothbrush, shaver, hair dryer, digital camera, battery recharger, laptop etc. with you on your New Zealand trip, make sure you bring or get a plug adapter as well! Easy to get before or while onsite.

Question: What does a New Zealand power plug and outlet look like?
Answer:  New Zealand power plug and outlet looks like this: