Skinny is Spark’s budget brand, offering fibre broadband at consistently the lowest or near-lowest prices in New Zealand. The physical fibre connection is identical to Spark’s — same Chorus network, same speeds — but at significantly lower prices with online-only support.
Owner: Spark NZ (budget brand)
Fibre 300: ~$55/month (no contract)
Support: Online and chat only — no phone number
Connection quality: Identical to Spark (same Chorus network)
Best for: Price-focused households comfortable with online support
Skinny Broadband Plans (2026)
| Plan | Speed | Monthly cost | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skinny Fibre 300 | 300 Mbps / 100 Mbps | ~$55/month | None |
| Skinny Fibre 900 | 900 Mbps / 500 Mbps | ~$75/month | None |
All plans include unlimited data. Check skinny.co.nz for current pricing.
No fixed-term contracts. No data caps.
Skinny’s Strengths
1. Consistently cheapest (or near-cheapest) fibre in NZ At ~$55/month for Fibre 300, Skinny is typically the cheapest no-contract fibre broadband plan in New Zealand. BigPipe sometimes matches this pricing, but Skinny is reliably at the budget end.
2. Same network as Spark Skinny uses Spark’s wholesale relationship with Chorus. The fibre optic cable to your home, the speed, and the reliability are identical to a much more expensive Spark plan. This is the key point: you’re getting exactly the same physical connection at a fraction of the cost.
3. No contract Month-to-month by default. Move house or switch providers with no exit fee.
4. Unlimited data No data caps on any Skinny plan.
5. Simple product No confusing bundles, no upselling. One broadband plan per speed tier, clear pricing.
Skinny’s Weaknesses
1. Online/chat support only — no phone number Skinny’s support is entirely online (webchat and email). If you have a complex technical issue, you cannot call a person for immediate help.
This is the main trade-off for the lower price. For tech-savvy households comfortable troubleshooting via chat, this is fine. For households that prefer talking to someone, it can be frustrating.
2. No in-store support Unlike Spark, there’s no Skinny physical store. Support issues are handled online only.
3. Router quality is basic The included modem/router is functional but basic. Large homes or homes with complex WiFi needs may want to invest in a better router.
4. No mobile bundle discounts While Skinny also offers mobile plans (SIM-only prepay focus), the broadband and mobile products don’t offer meaningful bundle discounts in the same way Spark’s ecosystem does.
Who Is Skinny Broadband Best For?
- Price-focused households comfortable with online support
- Tech-savvy users who can troubleshoot via chat or online resources
- Renters on month-to-month who want flexibility
- Households where broadband downtime is tolerable (e.g., secondary home, bach/batch)
- People who want to test out fibre before committing to a pricier provider
Skinny vs BigPipe
Both are budget-focused fibre providers at similar price points:
| Feature | Skinny | BigPipe |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre 300 price | ~$55/month | ~$55/month |
| Support | Online/chat | Online only (no chat either) |
| Owned by | Spark NZ | Historically Spark-adjacent |
| Router included | Yes (basic) | Check current offer |
Skinny has slightly better support options (webchat) compared to BigPipe, which is the most no-frills option in the market. For most households, Skinny is the better budget choice.
Verdict
Skinny Broadband is the best budget fibre option in NZ for households that don’t need phone support. The saving of $20–$25/month vs. Spark for identical connection quality is meaningful — $240–$300/year better spent elsewhere. If you’re comfortable troubleshooting via chat and want the cheapest fibre, Skinny is the clear choice.
Rating: 4/5 — Excellent value; only limitation is support quality.