[mgbridges]

Hi folks,

This might be of interest to anyone planning a reccie trip to NZ from the UK. I'm heading out in late April for a week, mainly to do some job-hunting but also to look at houses/suburbs in the Auckland area. I was wondering what to do about a phone while I was out there. Well, a bit of searching on the internet has suggested an idea - there are companies in the UK that will sell a Vodafone NZ pay-as-you-go SIM card. I can pop this SIM card in my company-provided handset and have an NZ mobile number to be contacted on while I'm there.

The cards cost £25-£30 and come with NZ$5 of credit on them, which is increased to NZ$15 if you register your details with Vodafone NZ. You need to check that your phone is unlocked but many are and most of the rest can be unlocked.

I got mine via a shop on eBay but I also came across a company called 0044 (http://www.0044.co.uk)which also sells them.

Sounds like a useful option.

Cheers,

Martin

[Trigirl]

unless you specifically need the number before you go (to give to job contacts or whatever) it is MUCH cheaper to wait and buy one at auckland airport when you arrive. the same card with $5 pre loaded and $10 when you register only costs $30 here.

[willowshouse]

Trigirl is right - IMHO this is a big rip-off .. sorry :exit

[mgbridges]

You're of course entitled to your opinion, but I think "big rip-off" is a little strong. I'm paying extra for the convenience of being able to give out a contact number to agencies ahead of my arrival, and to have one less thing to worry about when I stagger off a 29-hour flight.

It's not the option for everyone, but it is an option.

Cheers,

Martin

[speckythecky]

good point, well presented.

[willowshouse]

It's not the option for everyone, but it is an option.



You're right .. it is an option - in my opinion an expensive one. If it's worth it to you then fair enough .. I'm probably about to massively over-pay for house that I like because it's worth it to me! :laugh I get narked by companies that make more money than I feel they deserve to by charging over the odds and in my mind that is always a rip-off .. best of luck!

[JulesB]

I waited until landed in NZ and bought mine there. I think you can even do it at Auckland airport.
I'm sure it was cheaper - something like nz$30 but I can't remember for sure.

Jules