Making international calls

Making calls from New Zealand to overseas can quickly become expensive if you’re not aware of your provider’s international call rates, or if you don’t have a pay monthly or prepaid plan that includes a set number of call minutes. On this page, we explain how you can call internationally and which charges you should look out for. You’ll also learn the difference between calling abroad from home and making calls to another country while you’re travelling.

How much does it cost to make international calls from New Zealand?

The cost of making international calls from New Zealand varies depending on the country you are calling and which provider you use. Standard rates to popular destinations like Australia, the UK, or the USA can range from $0.90 to over $4.00 per minute if they aren’t included in your plan. It’s also worth noting that it’s generally more expensive to call a mobile number than a landline.

Info! Many Kiwi providers now treat calls to Australia as “local”, meaning they might already be included in your standard minutes.

However, most modern pay monthly and prepaid plans now include a certain number of international call minutes as standard. Many providers also offer “international packs” or add-ons which provide unlimited or fixed minutes to selected countries for a flat monthly fee.

Whatever your setup, these add-ons are usually the most cost-effective solution if you make regular international calls.

How do you make international calls from New Zealand?

When calling from a New Zealand landline to another country, first dial 00 (the New Zealand international access code), followed by the country code, the area code (dropping the initial zero), and finally the phone number.

On your mobile, you can simply use the “+” symbol instead of “00” by holding down the “0” key.

How much does it cost to call a New Zealand number that is currently abroad?

You pay the same rate as making a local call within New Zealand – in other words, there are no extra charges for you. It is actually the recipient who may have to pay to receive the call via international roaming. If your plan includes “standard national calls,” you can call them for free from your end regardless of where in the world they are. However, the person you are calling may be charged a rate per minute by their provider to receive that call.

Can I make international calls without paying call charges?

Yes, by using apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Messenger, you use your home Wi-Fi or mobile data instead of the cellular calling network. Remember that if you aren’t on Wi-Fi, these calls will use your mobile data allowance.

Please note! Both parties usually need to have the same app installed.

Roaming charges may apply if you are abroad

If you are overseas and want to use a calling app to contact someone back home or in another country, ensure your provider offers affordable roaming. Many New Zealand providers now offer daily roaming (typically $8 or $10 per day) that lets you use your local plan’s data and minutes while abroad. Checking this before you fly is essential to avoid “bill shock.”

Consider a travel eSIM

If your phone supports eSIM technology (which most models from the last few years do), you can often purchase a travel eSIM for your destination. This is often much cheaper than the daily roaming fee. Note that most travel eSIMs are data only plans, meaning you’ll need to use data-based apps (like WhatsApp) to make calls.

How do I make calls when travelling?

How you make calls while overseas depends on your provider’s roaming terms. You cannot always assume your New Zealand SIM will work the same way it does at home without extra costs.

Tip! Check our page about roaming to find out how to enable or disable roaming on your device and for tips on keeping costs low while on holiday.

How to call New Zealand from abroad

If you are using your New Zealand mobile to call back home while you are overseas, you generally dial the number as you normally would. However, if you are using a foreign SIM card or a local landline, you will need to use the New Zealand country code: +64.

Example: To call the New Zealand number 021 123 4567 from a foreign number, you would dial +64 21 123 4567 (remember to drop the first ‘0’).

Try this if you can’t make calls overseas

  • Restart your mobile. Often, a quick reboot is all it takes to re-register your phone on the network.
  • Check your signal. If you have no bars or it says “SOS only,” you aren’t connected to a network. Try moving to a different spot or checking if there is a local network outage.
  • Check your roaming toggle. Ensure that Data Roaming is switched on in your phone’s cellular settings. Even if you have a roaming add-on, your phone might block the connection at a software level to protect you
  • Ensure your plan isn’t “internationally barred”. Some providers place a block on international dialling by default to prevent accidental charges. You can usually toggle this on or off via your provider’s app or by logging into My Account on their website.
  • Check your Wi-Fi calling settings. If you have a weak cellular signal but are on Wi-Fi, enabling Wi-Fi calling can often help you make and receive calls as if you were back in New Zealand.