For students arriving in New Zealand, a Slashtel eSIM for the first week costs from $1.99 (1GB, 7 days) and a first month of data from $13.69 (10GB, 30 days). It is data only, installs before you fly, and your home SIM stays on for calls and OTP texts. Prices checked 22 September 2026.
Student picks for New Zealand
Cheapest plan valid for at least a week: maps, WhatsApp and bank apps while you settle in.
Buy this plan →A full month of data while you sort out housing, a bank account and a longer-term phone plan.
Buy this plan →The biggest monthly allowance, for video calls home and streaming.
Buy this plan →Monthly student plans compared
| Data | Validity | Price | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3GB | 30 days | $5.09 | $1.70 |
| 5GB | 30 days | $7.79 | $1.56 |
| 10GB | 30 days | $13.69 | $1.37 |
| 20GB | 30 days | $24.79 | $1.24 |
| 50GB | 180 days | $53.29 | $1.07 |
Networks in New Zealand: connects to One NZ or Spark (up to 5G), chosen automatically for the best signal. You cannot pick the network by hand.
Live prices checked 22 September 2026, fees included. Data only. See every New Zealand plan.
Student cities in New Zealand
The same eSIM works in every city below: it connects to local networks automatically, so there is nothing to change when you move between campus, home and the airport.
Auckland
University of Auckland, AUT
Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Christchurch
University of Canterbury
Dunedin
University of Otago
University names are listed to help students find this page. Slashtel is not affiliated with or endorsed by any university.
Before you fly
- Check your phone is eSIM-compatible and unlocked (dial *#06#; an EID means eSIM support).
- Buy and install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi. The QR code arrives by email within a minute. Install guide.
- Keep your home SIM in the phone for bank OTPs. How calls, texts and OTPs work.
- When you land, switch on data roaming for the Slashtel line only.
Keep your home number active
Banks and apps back home still send OTPs to your old number, and prepaid numbers can be switched off if they go unused. Top it up from New Zealand in a minute. How long numbers stay active without recharge.
| Home country | Cheapest plan lasting 28+ days | Cost | Per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Teletalk: 15 GB, 30 days (30 days) | £3.45 | 12p | Top up |
| Cameroon | Orange: 3 GB (30 days) | £10.14 | 34p | Top up |
| China | China Telecom Data: 2GB (30 days) | £7.18 | 24p | Top up |
| Colombia | Tigo Colombia Data: 7Gb + Unlimited minutes (30 days) | £7.72 | 26p | Top up |
| Ghana | Telecel Ghana Data: 2.4 GB (30 days) | £2.79 | 9p | Top up |
| India | BSNL: UL calls + UL data (35 days) | £3.28 | 9p | Top up |
| Indonesia | Indosat: 1GB (30 days) | £2.44 | 8p | Top up |
| Mexico | Movistar Mexico Bundles: 1.15GB data + UL calls and SMS (30 days) | £10.10 | 34p | Top up |
| Nepal | Nepal Telecom Nepal Data: 4GB + 300 mins (28 days) | £3.30 | 12p | Top up |
| Nigeria | Airtel Nigeria Data: 10GB Monthly Plan (30 days) | £4.75 | 16p | Top up |
| Pakistan | Telenor Pakistan Data: Monthly Social Extreme (30 days) | £1.93 | 6p | Top up |
| Sri Lanka | Mobitel: 2600 MB for 30 days (30 days) | £1.19 | 4p | Top up |
Questions, answered
How much is a student eSIM for New Zealand?
For students arriving in New Zealand, a Slashtel eSIM for the first week costs from $1.99 (1GB, 7 days) and a first month of data from $13.69 (10GB, 30 days). It is data only, installs before you fly, and your home SIM stays on for calls and OTP texts. Prices checked 22 September 2026.
How much does it cost to keep my home number active while studying abroad?
From 4p a day with the cheapest plan lasting 28 days or more. For example: Bangladesh £3.45 for 30 days (Teletalk); Cameroon £10.14 for 30 days (Orange); China £7.18 for 30 days (China Telecom Data). Live prices, 22 September 2026.
Can I keep my home number for bank OTPs?
Yes. The eSIM carries your data while your home SIM stays in the phone for calls and SMS, including bank OTPs. Keep data roaming off on the home SIM to avoid charges.
When does the eSIM start counting days?
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 at home before you fly.
Does the student eSIM include a local phone number?
No. Slashtel eSIMs are data only, with no local number, calls or SMS. WhatsApp and other internet calls work.
Does the eSIM work in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and other student cities?
Yes. The eSIM connects to local networks across New Zealand, chosen automatically for the best signal, so it works in every city listed here wherever those networks have coverage.
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