New Zealand has three mobile networks and a handful of MVNO brands competing for your business. The right plan depends on whether you prioritise price, data allowance, rural coverage, or family value. Here are our top picks for 2026.
Cheapest prepay: Skinny Mobile from ~$8–$13/28 days for light users
Best overall SIM-only value: 2degrees or Skinny plans
Best for rural coverage: Spark
Best 5G: One NZ or Spark
Best family: 2degrees Family Plan or Spark multi-connection
Best Cheap Mobile Plans NZ 2026
1. Skinny Mobile — Cheapest Prepay
Skinny Mobile (Spark’s budget brand) offers the cheapest prepay plans in NZ. Its 28-day plans are:
- Skinny $13 combo: 28-day pack, 1GB rollover data + unlimited calls/texts (NZ/Australia)
- Skinny $22 combo: 28-day pack, 3GB rollover data + unlimited calls/texts
- Skinny $27 combo: 28-day pack, 4GB rollover data + unlimited calls/texts
- Skinny $40 Endless: 28-day pack, 10GB at max speed then unlimited reduced-speed data + unlimited calls/texts
- Skinny $75 Unlimited: 28-day pack, unlimited data at max speed (fair use applies) + unlimited calls/texts
There’s also an even lighter $8 pack (250MB data, 100 minutes, unlimited texts) for very light users. Skinny runs on Spark’s network — same rural and urban coverage as Spark at significantly lower prices.
Best for: Light users who just need the basics and want the absolute minimum cost.
2. 2degrees — Best Value Monthly Plans
2degrees regularly offer competitive monthly SIM-only carryover data plans:
- 2degrees $35/month: 3GB data (carries over unused data), unlimited calls/texts to NZ numbers
- 2degrees $45/month: 6GB data, unlimited calls/texts
- 2degrees $55/month: 15GB data, unlimited calls/texts
- 2degrees $65/month: 80GB data, unlimited calls/texts
- 2degrees $80/month: Unlimited data, unlimited calls/texts
2degrees has also improved rural coverage significantly — now competitive with Spark across much of NZ.
Best for: Moderate users wanting good value on a reliable NZ network. 2degrees often offers the best balance of price and data allowance.
3. One NZ — Best for 5G
One NZ (formerly Vodafone NZ) has the most aggressive 5G rollout in NZ. If you have a 5G-capable phone and live in a major city, One NZ’s 5G is fast and widespread.
- One NZ Small, ~$45/month: 5GB, unlimited calls/texts
- One NZ Medium, ~$65/month: 15GB, unlimited calls/texts
- One NZ Unlimited, ~$85/month: Unlimited data, unlimited calls/texts
One NZ also offers smaller prepay packs from around $15–$40/month (1–8GB) for lighter users.
Best for: Urban 5G users and One NZ broadband customers wanting a bundle.
4. Spark — Best Rural Coverage
Spark’s network has the most comprehensive rural coverage in NZ, making it the default choice for frequent travellers to rural areas or people who live outside major centres.
- Spark ~$35/month: 4GB data, unlimited calls/texts
- Spark ~$50/month: 10GB data, unlimited calls/texts
- Spark ~$65/month: 25GB data, unlimited calls/texts
- Spark Endless plans: from ~$48/month (6GB) up to ~$73/month (150GB) or unlimited from ~$87/month
Spark is typically one of the more expensive of the three networks for similar data allowances.
Best for: Rural households, frequent rural travellers, and customers who prioritise maximum network coverage over cost.
5. Skinny 28-Day Plans — Best Budget Option for Moderate Data
Skinny’s higher-data 28-day plans are the cheapest way to get meaningful data on the Spark network:
- Skinny $22/28 days: 3GB rollover data, unlimited calls/texts to NZ
- Skinny $27/28 days: 4GB rollover data, unlimited calls/texts
- Skinny $40 Endless/28 days: 10GB at max speed then unlimited reduced-speed data, unlimited calls/texts
Identical rural coverage to Spark at meaningfully lower prices.
Best for: Budget-focused users on the Spark network who want more than a couple of GB.
Comparison Table — NZ Mobile Plans (2026)
| Provider | ~$35/month | ~$50/month | ~$65/month | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skinny | ~4GB (from $27) | ~10GB (Endless, from $40) | — | Spark |
| 2degrees | 3GB | 6GB (from $45) | 15GB | 2degrees |
| One NZ | 5GB (from $45) | — | 15GB | One NZ |
| Spark | 4GB | 10GB | 25GB | Spark |
Data allowances are indicative and change regularly. Always check provider websites for current plans.
Key Questions When Choosing a Mobile Plan
1. Do you need rural coverage? If you travel frequently to rural NZ or live outside a main centre, Spark has the widest rural coverage. 2degrees is a strong second. One NZ has good regional coverage but less rural reach.
2. Is your phone still being paid off? If you’re paying for a handset as part of your monthly plan, you’re typically paying $20–$40/month more than a SIM-only plan for the same data. When your handset is paid off, switch to SIM-only immediately.
3. Do you need 5G? 5G is available in main NZ cities from all three networks. If you’re outside a 5G zone or have a 4G phone, this doesn’t matter.
4. How much data do you actually use? Check your data usage in your current provider’s app. Many people pay for 40GB/month and use 8GB. A cheaper plan with adequate data will save money without any practical change.