Best eSIM for Kiwis overseas
Spark, One NZ and 2degrees sell day-rate or pack roaming that keeps your NZ number working. A travel eSIM is usually cheaper for data-heavy trips — and Dual SIM lets you keep the NZ line for texts and banking codes.
Roaming vs travel eSIM
| Option | Data | Days | Approx cost shape | Hotspot | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ carrier roaming | Pack / day rate | Per trip | Often NZ$5–15+/day equivalent | Plan-dependent | Keeping NZ number primary; short light trips |
| Travel eSIM (Ubigi/Nomad etc.) Usually cheaper | 5–20 GB fixed | 7–30 | Often US$10–25 total | Usually yes on fixed plans | Most holidays — Dual SIM keeps NZ SMS |
| Holafly unlimited | Unlimited* | By day | ~US$25–74 depending on length | Capped prepaid | Phone-heavy digital nomad weeks |
Practical Dual SIM setup
- Leave your NZ physical SIM (or eSIM) active for SMS / 2FA; set the travel eSIM as the mobile data line.
- Turn off data roaming on the NZ line so you don’t get charged by accident.
- Install the travel eSIM on home Wi-Fi before you fly.
- WhatsApp keeps your NZ number; you don’t need a foreign phone number for most travel.
Popular Kiwi routes — where to start
- Australia — Ubigi / Nomad for 10 GB.
- Europe — Ubigi value; Airalo for widest country list.
- USA — Ubigi often roughly half Airalo’s 10 GB price.
- Japan — Ubigi / Nomad fixed GB; Holafly if phone-heavy.
- Thailand — Nomad / Saily around US$10–11 for 10 GB.
If you’re an inbound visitor to New Zealand, see Best eSIM for New Zealand instead — and note 3G is shut down, so your phone needs modern 4G/5G.
FAQ
Is a travel eSIM cheaper than roaming?
Usually yes — a 10 GB travel eSIM typically costs a fraction of daily roaming passes from home carriers. Heavy users should still compare per-GB prices.
When should I install my travel eSIM?
Install it at home on Wi-Fi a day or two before you fly, but keep it switched off until you land, because many plans start their validity on first connection.
Is 'unlimited' eSIM data really unlimited?
Rarely. Most unlimited plans slow you down after a daily fair-use cap (often 1–5 GB/day) and limit hotspot use. Check the cap before you buy.