Telephone Communication Guide
Landlines
The main landline providers in Auckland are Telecom and Vodafone, but since the un-bundling of the phone system, there are many other providers now available. Most providers offer mobile phone service and broadband along with lower prices to consumers who buy “bundles” rather than a single service.
You can set up a landline either by phone or online. If the house where you will be living has already had phone service you will be assigned a phone number and you can arrange for service to begin on the day that you move in. If you need any other service, you can set up an appointment for a technician to come to your home.
Vodafone – http://www.vodafone.co.nz
Call 0800 464 484 or join online.
- Allow 2-7 days for service to be activated.
- You must be 18 years of age. ID is required – a driver’s license, passport or bill with your name on it.
- Initial set-up is $52.10 (additional wiring charges may apply)
- Basic home phone plans start at $50 per month. Local calls are free, national calls are .26 per minute, calls to national mobiles are .36 cents per minute.
- Talk 3 international calling plan to 21 countries — $40.89 per month + call charges.
Telecom — http://www.telecom.co.nz
Call 123, or 0800 444 123, or join online.
- Allow at least 3 days for service to be activated.
- You must be 18 years of age. ID is required – a driver’s license, passport or bill with your name on it.
- Initial set-up is between $63-$69 (additional charges may apply).
- Basic home phone plans start at $46 per month. Local calls are free, national calls are .24 per minute, calls to national mobiles are 39 cents per minute.
- Several international calling plans, including $25 & 30 International Weekends and Weeknights to Australia, UK/Ireland and the USA or Canada. Check their website for more information.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are more popular than landlines in New Zealand – some people skip landlines altogether in favour of mobile phones. Texting is the most popular and least expensive form of communication.
The main mobile phone providers in Auckland are Telecom, Vodafone and 2Degrees – they offer better deals to customers who “bundle” their mobile service with home phone service and broadband. Providers also offer several “add ons” for calling friends and family, texting and internet on your mobile phone, all for an additional fee. Handsets are subsidized on some post-paid plans. You can set up your mobile service online or on the phone. Identification, such as a passport or drivers license, is required for a post-paid plan.
Telecom — http://www.telecom.co.nz
0800 662 435
- Post-paid plans start at $29. per month for 150 minutes.
- Text messages are unlimited.
- Prepaid calls are .44 per minute to NZ, .91 per minute to Australia, UK, US, Canada and Ireland. All other countries are $1.43 per minute.
Vodafone — http://www.vodafone.co.nz
0800 800 021
- Postpaid plans start at $45 per month including 200 “anytime minutes” and 5000 texts.
- Prepaid calls are .49 per minute.
2degrees — http://2degreesmobile.co.nz
0800 022 022
- Currently cheapest option in NZ for mobile broadband
- Prepaid service starts at 44c per minute (or part minute) to call any mobile or landline in 22 countries at any time.
- 9c to text any mobile in 22 countries.
- 50c per megabyte to use the mobile internet.
