6 plans from 1GB to 20GB. Buy now, scan the QR, and your data works the moment you land.
Slashtel New Zealand eSIMs start at $3.49 for 1GB over 7 days, across 6 plans. The lowest price per GB is $1.33 on the 10GB plan. A one-week trip costs from $3.49 (1GB). It connects to One NZ and Spark on up to 5G. Prices checked 9 October 2026.
Last checked: September 2026
You step off the plane at Auckland (AKL) and reach for your phone. The airport Wi-Fi wants a login, and you just want to message home. At Christchurch (CHC), you are picking up a campervan and need maps. At Queenstown (ZQN), you are meeting friends and checking the weather for tomorrow. A working data connection makes all of this simple.
Slashtel gives you a New Zealand eSIM that arrives as a QR code by email within a minute of purchase. You install it at home, before you fly. Prices start from $3.49, with no contract and no need for a local address. It is data only, so no local number, calls or SMS. But WhatsApp calls work over data, and you can use hotspot to share with a laptop. Top-ups are done online on the same eSIM, so you stay connected for the whole trip.
UK travellers often come for working holidays and road trips. You might land in Auckland, buy a van and drive both islands. You need data for job hunting, flat viewings and booking campsites. A reliable eSIM means you can sort your IRD number and bank account without hunting for Wi-Fi. On the road, signal drops in rural stretches, so download offline maps before you leave town. With data sorted, you can focus on the scenery.
Indian travellers include students and those visiting family. You might arrive in Christchurch for university or Auckland to see relatives. You need data for university portals, WhatsApp calls home and ride-hailing apps. Keeping your Indian SIM active for bank OTPs is easy while the eSIM handles data. You can top up online if you run low, and hotspot lets you work on your laptop. It is a practical way to stay connected without a long contract.
| Data | Duration | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 3-5 days | Maps, WhatsApp text, light email. No video. |
| 3GB | 1 week | Maps, WhatsApp calls, occasional social media. |
| 5GB | 2 weeks | Maps, WhatsApp video, some music streaming. |
| 10GB | 1 month | Daily use including video and video calls. |
For a short city break, 1GB is enough if you stick to text and maps. If you are driving and using maps all day, or making video calls, choose a larger plan to avoid topping up mid-trip.
Road trips cross long rural stretches where signal drops, so download offline maps. Between towns, especially in the South Island, you can go hours without coverage. Before you leave Auckland or Christchurch, download offline maps in Google Maps. Also save your accommodation addresses and any booking confirmations offline. That way, you are not stuck when the signal disappears.
Working holiday makers need data straight away for job hunting and flat viewings. You might land in Auckland and need to call employers or reply to flat listings the same day. With an eSIM already installed, you can connect as soon as you land. No queuing for a local SIM, no hunting for Wi-Fi. You can start your job search from the airport bus.
Install your eSIM at home on Wi-Fi. The QR code arrives by email within a minute. Follow our installation guide for step-by-step help. Your home SIM stays in your phone for calls and OTPs, so you can still receive bank codes. If you are an Indian traveller, see our guide on keeping your Indian SIM active. Remember, the eSIM is data only, so no local number, calls or SMS. But WhatsApp calls work over data, and hotspot is allowed.
Ready to connect? Browse New Zealand data plans and choose the size that fits your trip. Prices start from $3.49. No contract, no local address needed. Top up online on the same eSIM if you need more data. Your days start counting only when it first connects in New Zealand, so you can install early without wasting time.
Last checked: September 2026. Prices and plans are verified on the Slashtel site at the time of writing.
Yes. Your phone must be unlocked by your home network and support eSIM. Most recent iPhones and many Android phones do. Check your settings for an eSIM option before you buy.
Yes. Your physical SIM stays in your phone for calls and SMS, including bank OTPs. The eSIM handles data only, so you can keep your number active for verification codes.
For 1 week, 3GB covers maps, WhatsApp calls and light social media. For 2 weeks, 5GB adds WhatsApp video and some music streaming. If you plan to work remotely or stream daily, choose 10GB.
Yes. Install it at home on Wi-Fi before you depart. The QR code arrives by email within a minute. Your days only start counting when it first connects in New Zealand, so you won't lose any time.
You will get coverage in all four cities and on main routes. However, road trips cross long rural stretches where signal drops. Download offline maps before you set off. Coverage is not guaranteed everywhere.
Yes. Hotspot is allowed on your eSIM. You can share your data with a laptop or another device. Just keep an eye on your data usage, as it will count towards your plan.
For most trips a 5GB to 10GB data eSIM valid for 30 days is the right size: Slashtel's 5GB plan for New Zealand is $9.49 on One NZ and Spark. Install it before you fly, keep your home SIM on for calls and bank texts, and top up the same eSIM if you run low.
If your phone supports eSIM, an eSIM is simpler than a local SIM card: nothing to collect at the airport, no passport registration, and your home SIM stays in the phone for calls and OTP texts. A physical SIM only makes sense for long stays where you need a local phone number.
From $3.49 for 1GB valid 7 days, as of 9 October 2026. Longer trips: two weeks from $5.99 (3GB), one month from $6.29 (3GB).
$1.33 per GB on the 10GB plan (30 days, $13.29). Bigger plans usually cost less per GB, so buy the size you expect to use.
One NZ and Spark, with speeds up to 5G where available. The eSIM picks the strongest network automatically.
No. Slashtel eSIMs are data only, with no local number, calls or SMS. WhatsApp and other internet calls work, and your home SIM can stay on for calls and OTP texts.
Validity starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in New Zealand, not when you buy it, so you can buy and install it before you travel.
After payment Slashtel emails a QR code within a minute. Scan it in your phone settings while on Wi-Fi at home, then switch on data roaming for the eSIM when you land.
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. Dial *#06#: if an EID appears, the phone supports eSIM.
Yes. Hotspot and tethering are allowed on Slashtel eSIMs.
Pick a plan, pay by card. QR arrives by email within a minute.
Scan the QR on Wi-Fi at home. Takes two minutes. Keep your main SIM in.
Enable data roaming on the Slashtel line. Done, no shops, no queues.