Source: So happy 59/Shutterstock.com
Source: So happy 59/Shutterstock.com

Canstar rounds up the best mobile phone deals currently available for Kiwi mobile phone customers.

Below we cover the best deals from mobile phone providers across prepaid and monthly plans. The offers we think deliver the best value are our Deals of the Month!

This month we cover deals from: Spark

  • Deals of Month:
  • 2degrees
  • Kiwi Mobile
  • Kogan
  • Mighty Mobile
  • One NZ
  • Skinny
  • Warehouse Mobile

Deals of the Month: Spark

This month, Spark is offering some great deals across its prepaid and monthly mobile plans, plus it has launched its new satellite service.

Prepaid

  • Double data across all prepaid plans for just $1 extra
  • Spark is offering 5GB of bonus data if you move your existing number over to a Spark prepaid plan with a data limit. Note the data expires after 90 days

Monthly

  • Receive $10/m off for 12 months on any new $65/m or above Spark monthly, worth $120

Spark also offers Spotify discounts and free data for Spotify music use across all its plans with data limits.

Its two most expensive monthly unlimited data plans also come with streaming perks:

  • $90/m Unlimited Data Plan includes Spotify Premium (worth $18.99/m)
  • $95/m Unlimited Data Netflix Plan includes Netflix Standard (worth $25.99/m)

And while it's not really a limited-offer deal, Spark is now offering its Spark Satellite service on $75/m and above monthly plans on compatible devices.

Similar to One NZ's satellite service, it allows you to text and send data while out of terrestrial service range, via Starlink on apps including Facebook Messenger, Google Maps and WhatsApp.


2degrees

2degrees has a 50% off deal for six months across all its companion plans, which can be added to any $45+ pay monthly plan.

Companion plans:

  • $12.50 Plan: 6GB data & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ* (usual price $25)
  • $15 Plan: 15GB data & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ* (usual price $30)
  • $17.50 Plan: 80GB data & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ* (usual price $35)
  • $20 Plan: Endless data (no max speed cap) & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ* (usual price $40)

Across its prepaid plans, 2degrees is continuing its standard offer: receive a one-off 7.5GB of rollover data if you move your existing number over to a 2degrees monthly or weekly prepaid plan with a data limit.


Kiwi Mobile

For new customers who bundle their phone with either power or broadband, Kiwi Mobile is offering three months free. The offer only applies to the base level of each plan:

  • Choice Lite: 1GB + unlimited NZ/OZ calls & texts: $0.59/day ($17.95/m)
  • Choice: 5GB plan + unlimited NZ/OZ calls & texts: $1.30/day ($39.54/m)  

Kogan

Kogan offers a constantly revolving lazy Susan of hot deals. This month it has three offering discounts of up to 40%:

  • $35 extra large plan monthly: 32GB data & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ (36% off usual price $55)
  • $231 large plan yearly : 15GB/m data & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ (30% off usual price $330)
  • $294 extra large plan yearly : 32GB/m data & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ (40% off usual price $490)

Mighty Mobile

Plus Mighty Mobile is offering its Primate members discounts of 30% across its 365-day plans:

  • $279.30 Plan: Endless data up to 10Mbps & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ (usual price $399)
  • $349.30 Plan: Endless data up to 50Mbps & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ (usual price $499)
  • $524.30 Plan: Endless data (no speed cap) & unlimited calls & texts to NZ/OZ (usual price $749)

A primate membership costs $89 for 12 months and $29 for thee months.


One NZ

One NZ's One Wallet rewards scheme allows you to earn up to 6% of your pay monthly One NZ bill in Phone Dollars, which you can then put towards purchasing a new phone on an interest-free payment plan.

You earn 2% of your bill amount for one pay monthly phone account, 4% for two and 6% for three. And by adding a new eligible mobile or broadband service to your account you can earn a $300 Phone Dollars bonus.

If you bring your number over to One NZ prepaid, you'll also receive 5GB of free data, which lasts up to 90 days.


Skinny

Skinny is a one-off 8GB of bonus data if you move your existing number over to a Skinny plan $17+. Note the data is not rollover data.


Warehouse Mobile

Warehouse Mobile has three current offers:

  • Purchase any new phone and if you're a new Warehouse Mobile customer you'll receive a $50 credit plus a free $25-plan SIM (4GB rollover data & 300 rollover mins & unlimited texts to NZ/OZ)
  • If you're a new customer bringing over your number, you'll receive 5GB of free data.
  • Free data offers with every third top-up

Phone plan discounts and deals: what to consider

Mobile phone providers are always offering incentives to new customers. However it's important to not get blinded by the initial discount, and to consider the longer-term implications of your phone plan purchase. Points to consider:

Discount length

Is the discount a one-off, or for the length of the plan? Many plans revert to their original price after the initial discount period meaning, in the long run, you could end up paying more than opting for a cheaper plan without an initial discount.

Data, calls and texts

Does the plan meet your needs in terms of its data, calls and text allowances? There's no point buying an expensive endless data plan if you rarely make use of your allowance. Or purchasing a cheap, limited plan that ends up costing you extra in top-up packs.

Check the small print

Mobile phone deals always come with Ts&Cs, and it's important to read them, as they could reveal hidden costs. Also make sure you're familiar with the conditions of your existing phone plan, as switching to another plan, even with the same provider, could incur penalties.

What are the cheapest phone plans?

The cheapest phone plans are no-frills prepaid monthly plans that come with very limited calls, data and text allowances. Here are the cheapest available from the big telco providers:

  • 2degrees: $8 Plan: 150MB – 100mins & unlimited texts to NZ/OZ
  • Skinny: $8 Plan: 250MB – 100mins & unlimited texts to NZ/OZ
  • Warehouse mobile: $9 Plan: 300MB – 100mins & unlimited texts to NZ/OZ
  • One NZ: $10 Plan: 250MB – 100mins & unlimited texts to NZ/OZ
  • Kogan: $15 Plan: 1.5GB – unlimited calls/texts to NZ/OZ
  • Spark: $17 Plan: 750MB – 100 mins & unlimited texts to NZ/OZ

What are the fastest phone plans?

5G phone plans offer the fastest speeds. According to the latest Opensignal Mobile Network Experience Report, the 2degrees network delivers the fastest 5G download/upload speeds:

  • 2degrees: 343/32Mbps
  • One NZ: 313/25Mbps
  • Spark: 262/21Mbps

However, when it comes to reach, One NZ has the widest 5G coverage, sitting just ahead of Spark. Out of 10, each network provider earns the following points for their 5G network coverage:

  • One NZ: 3.8/10
  • Spark: 3.7/10
  • 2degrees: 3.0/10

Providers that offer 5G across their plans, include:

  • 2degrees
  • Kiwi Mobile (uses One NZ network)
  • Kogan Mobile (uses One NZ network)
  • Mighty Mobile (uses One NZ network)
  • One NZ
  • Rocket Mobile (uses One NZ network)
  • Skinny (uses Spark network)
  • Spark

Bruce Pitchers is Canstar's NZ Editor. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the DrivenStuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery puzzle book 5 Minute Murder.


Important Information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.