Roaming

Using a local provider’s network while you are travelling overseas is called roaming. In the past, international roaming was notorious for high costs, but today most New Zealand providers offer affordable daily roaming packs, 5G access overseas, or specific travel add-ons. However, rates and conditions vary significantly depending on your destination and your specific mobile plan. On this page, we explain how roaming works for Kiwis, how to manage the settings on your device, and what you should consider to avoid unexpected charges on your next bill.

How does roaming work with pay monthly and prepaid plans?

Most major New Zealand providers offer roaming features for their customers. The way you are charged typically depends on whether you have a pay monthly plan or a prepaid plan.

• Pay monthly plans: Many providers offer a daily roaming “pack” or “daily rate.” For example, some plans include a flat fee (typically between $10 and $12 per day) that allows you to use your plan’s data and unlimited talk and text in selected countries.
• Prepaid plans: For prepaid users, roaming is usually not included by default. You will often need to purchase a specific roaming “bolt-on” or “pack” via your provider’s app before you leave New Zealand. While roaming is now common across many MVNOs (smaller providers), some budget options still have limited features or high pay as you go rates. Always check your app before heading to the airport.

Are there free roaming destinations?

While “free” roaming is rare in New Zealand, Australia is now a standard inclusion in most top-tier endless plans at no extra cost (often called Across the Ditch roaming). This means that for many Kiwis, you no longer need to pay or activate a daily roaming pack for travel to Australia. 

Some providers also include other popular destinations like the UK, USA, or Fiji in their higher-tier roaming-inclusive plans – always check your specific plan’s ‘included’ destinations before you fly.

What applies in countries outside standard roaming zones?

When travelling to countries that are not covered by your provider’s standard roaming packs (often referred to as “Zone 2” or “Rest of World” destinations), the costs can increase dramatically. In these regions, you will usually be charged pay as you go (PAYG) rates.

Data in these countries can cost upwards of $1.00 per megabyte, which can quickly lead to a very high bill. If you are visiting a country that is not covered by a daily roaming pack, we strongly recommend using an alternative, such as a local SIM card or a travel eSIM.

What does Fair Use Policy (FUP) mean?

Even if you have a plan that includes “free” roaming to Australia or a daily roaming pack, you are still subject to a fair use policy (FUP). This is a set of rules designed to prevent “permanent roaming” and to manage the costs providers pay to overseas networks.

The most important thing to realise is that “using your plan like you do at home” usually comes with a catch. While you might have a massive data allowance on your plan in NZ, your provider will almost certainly limit your data usage while roaming.

Common roaming restrictions and limitations

• Daily data limits: Many providers cap “full speed” roaming data at a certain amount per day (often 1 GB or 2 GB). Once you hit this limit, your connection speed will be throttled – frequently down to 1.2 Mbps or 2 Mbps. While this handles basic tasks, it may struggle with high-definition video or large file uploads.
• Time constraints: Roaming is intended for short-term holiday or business travel. If your NZ SIM is used overseas for an extended period (usually more than 60 or 90 days in a rolling 12-month period), your provider may determine you are no longer a resident, resulting in extra charges or a suspension of the service.
• Tethering and hotspotting: Some fair use policies prohibit or strictly limit using your phone as a hotspot for other devices while roaming, even if this is included in your standard domestic usage.

What roaming charges might apply overseas?

If you do not have a roaming pack active, or if you exceed your daily allowance, you may be charged for:

1. Daily roaming access: A flat fee triggered the moment your phone connects to a foreign network and performs any activity (such as a background app update or receiving a call).
2. Data usage: Charged at PAYG rates per megabyte (MB). This is often the most expensive way to use data abroad.
3. Voice calls: While daily packs usually cover calls back to NZ or within the country you are visiting, calling a third country (e.g., being in the UK and calling France) often incurs expensive international toll rates on top of your daily fee.
4. SMS and MMS: While receiving standard text messages is usually free, sending an SMS or a MMS typically incurs a per-message cost.

How to avoid roaming charges

• Check for roaming add-ons: Before you leave, check if your provider offers a travel pack. It is almost always cheaper than paying standard rates.
• Prioritise a travel eSIM: Most flagship phones sold in New Zealand by 2026 are either eSIM-only or eSIM-priority. A travel eSIM app allows you to install a secondary data plan in seconds, often for a fraction of the cost of a daily roaming pack.
• Utilise Wi-Fi calling: Many Kiwi telcos support Wi-Fi calling, which allows you to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi connection. In most cases, these calls are billed as if you were standing in Auckland or Wellington, meaning you can avoid daily roaming fees entirely if you stay in Flight Mode with Wi-Fi enabled.
• Check VoLTE roaming: With 3G networks now fully decommissioned in New Zealand and many parts of the world, VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is no longer optional – it is a requirement for calling. This allows your phone to make voice calls over 4G and 5G networks while overseas. Most modern handsets do this automatically, but it’s worth verifying in your settings.
• Download offline content: Use Google Maps or streaming services (Spotify, Netflix) in offline mode to save data.
• Opt for a local SIM: If you are staying in one country for more than a week, buying a local SIM card is often the most cost-effective option.

Should roaming be switched on or off on your mobile?

If you are travelling to a destination where you know you are covered by a daily roaming pack, you can leave roaming on. However, if you are unsure or if you are in a high-cost country, it is safer to turn it off to avoid “bill shock.”

Please note! Be cautious when travelling on cruise ships or planes. These often connect via satellite systems which are not covered by standard roaming packs and are extremely expensive. We recommend keeping your phone in Flight Mode or disabling roaming in these situations.

How to enable and disable roaming

On iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Mobile Data.
3. Select Mobile Data Options.
4. Toggle Data Roaming on or off.

On Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Connections (or Network & Internet).
3. Select Mobile Networks.
4. Toggle Data Roaming on or off.

Note that the exact menu names may vary slightly depending on your device manufacturer and the version of Android you are using.

What about Apple Watch and wearables?

It is important to note that most New Zealand cellular smartwatches (using One Number or similar sharing services) do not support international roaming. Even if your phone is roaming, your watch will likely only connect via Bluetooth to your phone. Avoid attempting to use your watch’s independent cellular connection overseas as it may result in failed connections or unexpected charges.

Satellite SOS: Safety beyond mobile coverage

As of 2026, many newer smartphones offer satellite connectivity for emergency SOS and basic messaging when you are outside of mobile coverage. This is typically independent of your roaming plan and can be a life-saver if you are hiking or travelling in remote areas overseas where no local networks are available. While usually free for emergency use, it is a vital safety feature to verify on your device before you head off the beaten track.