Best Prepaid Mobile Plans in NZ for Data/Coverage/Price?

syrys on 26/10/2023 - 18:54

Hey guys,

ive just started looking around for a new mobile carrier, moving from skinny. I normally use anywhere between 2-4gb of data per month, and im trying to find out what are some of the best deals (or tricks) in data/mobile plans in NZ in terms of maximising data, maximising coverage, and minimising cost (ofcorse it will be something like, pick two - but having options to consider is good). Im sort of asking this question for more general case that may be useful for other people that come here looking for similar question.

Ive seen people discuss using 2degrees, buying expensive plan once in a while to top up 25GB rollover data and going back to $10 plan (and consume the said data slowly) - but the 25GB plan seems to be gone? I heard the similar trick with skinny (thus why i originally joined them), but i recently confirmed that the skinny rollover data is ONLY available on their $17 & $27 plans, so the more expensive plans will expire their data at the end of month. Are there any other similar tricks elsewhere thats still usable?

Also, ive heard a bit about Kogan mobile, seems to be around $13/mth for 4gb data. Are they reliable in terms of company/support and coverage, or is it something you should only use as a secondary sim or they are pretty decent to use as a primary?

Any thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Im curious to know what plans and tricks everyone else is using :)

TY in advance.

General Discussion

Comments

  • wildchild on 26/10/2023 - 21:36

    I like vodafone (one NZ) even though alot of people disagree! Their app is easy to use and you can flex your plan from $14 upwards. They do daily deals (eg $2 for 1.5gb for 7 days) which are sometimes crap but often can get extra data to cover for a few days to a week. They also add extra data (from 10% up to 100% of your plan data) increasing each topup.

    I have found coverage is decent in top of the south but ymmv.

    • syrys on 26/10/2023 - 23:13

      Sounds interesting. I'm sure plenty of people would love doing this, but i think it's a bit too hands on management/juggling for me. Would be ideal to find something that I only need to do juggling once in a few months or so - ideally. Otherwise I'm not too opposed to paying 30-40 for a plan without any tricks just so it saves me a lot of time. I'm a bit lazy haha.

  • ace310 on 26/10/2023 - 21:42
    +1

    Kogan is good for me. Uses One NZ network. Currently they have I think 25% off going on right now. Search cheapies for feedback on Kogan. Lots of +ve comments.

    Other is 2d via farmsource.

    • syrys on 26/10/2023 - 23:09

      2d via farmsource may not be available anymore? I can't find any reference to it on farmsource

    • syrys on 26/10/2023 - 23:10

      TY for the info about kogen. Do I need to order a kogen sim before I can use it? If so, I assume I would need to order it seperately and wait for the sim to arrive?

      • bigcheese on 26/10/2023 - 23:25

        If you want to test the waters with Kogan you could order the $5 starter pack.
        Gives you the SIM card with 15Gb of data and unlimited calls/txt to NZ & Oz for 30 days.

      • justaddwater on 27/10/2023 - 08:42

        the plan can't be activated without a sim

        and it will start the day you activate 365 days or whatever

  • cheapo on 27/10/2023 - 01:07

    For your carryover trick I would recommend Warehouse Mobile. They currently have 15gb prepay for $45 which can be used to stock up and then jump on the cheapest plan. It uses 2deg mobile networks and is generally easy to deal with the simple app

    But you have to consider the $9/m lowest plan charge in mind to keep using that banked data. Hence could be around $20/m there after if spread out with your initial $45 plan. Hope it makes sense

  • Bargainstalker on 27/10/2023 - 08:37

    Thanks cheapo.
    I'll be getting a warehouse sim. You get to keep the same phone number.
    Currently with 2 degrees and do the same thing its just more expensive. I buy the $60 15gb rollover prepay then buy the $10 pm for 2 months to keep the data rolling over. And when my data is low buy another $60 pm pack
    The Warehouse is the same just cheaper so thats for me

    • ace310 on 27/10/2023 - 09:11

      So looks like you use around $80 for 3 months on an average, if I read that correctly. Which comes to around $26/month. I think kogan would be cheaper if you go for medium or even a large plan when on discount. Currently large plan is $250/yr ~ $20.83. Kogan plans

      Also, 2d from farmsource is $304/yr ~ $25.3/month

      • bigcheese on 27/10/2023 - 09:18

        Also, Kogan have previously done 50% off plans in Nov / Dec. Certainly no guarantees this will continue but it might be worth going with a non contract plan at least for the next month or two in case a good deal comes along.

        • ace310 on 27/10/2023 - 09:26

          Yes. Absolutely.

      • hhan7 on 28/10/2023 - 03:59

        2d price is before GST?

  • justaddwater on 27/10/2023 - 10:48

    Whats the absolute cheapest to keep a number alive. I know its warehouse mobile but how much is the least amount you need to spend per year?

  • Bargainstalker on 28/10/2023 - 08:14

    Yes im using $26 a month your dead on $60+$10+10 = 80÷3
    But im going to join warehouses mobile which will be $45+9+9 =$63÷3 so $21 per month (thanks to cheapo's iinfo) cheers cheapo

  • kyogui on 28/10/2023 - 21:50

    Anyone knows how long does your kogan number stays alive after plan expires?

  • Fox419 on 18/04/2024 - 09:10

    Resurrecting this old thread to get some advice.
    I usually use 3.5GB of mobile data a month with my Spark $20 pre-pay (Data Stack 7GB)

    I got a new phone A55 this month and I must not have had the settings right yet as I have blown through 8GB already and have about 500mb left, next top up cycle is like the 10/05/2024….

    I checked my phone and it was likely 5GB to firefox app and 1GB to Pokemon GO, so definitely my fault not having data saving settings right, and yeah I am a bit of scroller on firefox.

    Since my phone is an e-sim/dual sim, I was looking around at how I might be able to keep my data afloat for the rest of the as I am going on a short kiwi holiday tomorrow.

    Korgan have a great $5 deal but would have to wait for sim to be posted and I will likely be away.

    The next best deal looks to be a warehouse sim and getting the $45 Combo - 15GB Rollover data, looks to last for 365 days, so I can use it until I run out and then switch back to my normal spark plan.

    I was wondering if anyone had any other suggested plans/combos that might be better before I pull the trigger with the werehouse?

    Cheers

    • ace310 on 18/04/2024 - 09:24

      Option 1: 3 Months free with Contact - it has esim.
      Option 2: Kogan or Mighty mobile when deal comes. Search here for more details.
      Option 3: I think there was a deal from 2d via farmsource.

      • Fox419 on 18/04/2024 - 11:21

        Thanks,
        while cheap deals I don't think they fit what I am looking for.
        Thank you for the info though.

        • Everettpsycho on 18/04/2024 - 21:36

          I'd get the contact plan as it's unlimited and use it in Sim slot 2/esim. Then leave your alarm Sim card in for calls and texts. This way over 3 months you can build back up to the 3.5gb of rollover.

          I do this currently running mighty mobile from when they were $1 a month as my data. When it runs out bin the card and find the next free/cheap deals. With the rollover backed up I'm in no rush to find the next deal until that runs low again but so far this seems to be working well. I considered the 2degrees farmskurce deal but it's a pain to move, I'd lose data stack and would be more than I currently pay. Might make the jump one day of the cheap as intro plans dry up.

    • Fox419 on 18/04/2024 - 11:18

      I got mixed up with Rollover Data vs Carry Over Data, back to the drawing board for disposable one off pre-paid option.

    • Nzfade on 22/04/2024 - 07:16
      +3

      Hey mate - if you're running E-Sim have you checked out https://www.three.com.hk/prepaid/DIY/en/offer/travel ?
      365 days, 35 GB, ~$57 NZD

      Comes to roughly 2.91 GB for $4.70 a month. (Bonus is that you can use this if you want to travel to UK / US / Canada / Aus / HK as well)

      For comparison Warehouse mobile is $4 a month for 500 MB.

      Utilizing the One network.

      I think the only downside is the ~500 ms ping times as data traffic is routed back to HK - so not really ideal if you're playing COD mobile or something but fits my needs when it comes to browsing the web / music streaming etc.

      I haven't really had any issues so far in Auckland.

      Running Warehouse mobile as my main SIM for my number / Txts / Calls with this ThreeHK SIM in Slot 2 purely for data.

      • justaddwater on 22/04/2024 - 08:35

        How long have you been using this for?

        Do you use your existing number or get a new number?

        • Nzfade on 22/04/2024 - 09:20
          +2

          About a month, have a mate who's been using it for a year - he's just renewed his plan.

          I only recommend this method if your phone can run dual SIM.

          You will get an HK number which I don't use. Physical SIM cards require you to live and have an HK address.

          With an E-Sim you just get a QR code delivered to your email inbox.

          Ignore any messages requiring verification of ID - that's if you wish their local services etc, the plan that we use falls under roaming.

          My mates running a late model iPhone (iPhone 13 pro max i think) and has no issues, and I'm using a S23 Ultra - no issues. (yet)

      • Fox419 on 22/04/2024 - 11:23

        Thanks for this one.
        This is exactly the sort of thing I am looking for.

        I ordered the $5 korgan 15gb for 30 days but once that is out.
        If I am short data again, that plan is stellar thank you.

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