Guides
Choosing a plan, getting connected, and what to expect where you're headed
Choosing a plan
What's actually cheaper overseas - a real rate comparison against all three NZ carriers, plus trip-cost examples.
No local SIM shop, no fumbling a SIM pin at the airport - but a physical SIM still wins in a few real situations.
A practical GB budget by how you'll actually use your phone, not a marketing number pulled from nowhere.
Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania in one road trip: one eSIM for the lot, or a plan per country? The trade-offs, plus a live cost check.
One eSIM for the whole Japan-Korea trip, or a plan for each country? The trade-offs, plus a live cost comparison with today's numbers.
Island-hopping Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu or New Caledonia? One regional eSIM or a plan per country - the trade-offs and a live price check.
Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Colombia: one regional eSIM or a plan per country? How borders, altitude and patchy signal change the answer, plus a live cost check.
London, Edinburgh, Dublin and the Wild Atlantic Way: one eSIM for both countries, or a plan for each? The Northern Ireland catch, plus a live cost check.
Getting connected
Install, activate, and get your line and data roaming set correctly - step by step.
No data after landing, a QR code that won't scan, and the other fixes that solve almost everything.
Regional guides
Where to go, what to do and what to know across Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Tahiti.
Where to go, what to do and the arrival forms to sort before you fly, across eight Southeast Asian countries.
Where to go and what to do across Europe's favourite Kiwi destinations, plus the entry rules that changed in 2026.
Where to go and what to do across Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Macao, plus the apps that make each one work.
Maya ruins, Caribbean reef, cloud forest and the Panama Canal - how to string Mexico and Central America together from New Zealand, and keep your phone working between borders.
Turn a layover in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha or Istanbul into a proper mini-trip - what to see, how to get around and how to stay connected.
Fjords, northern lights, Copenhagen's waterfront and Iceland's waterfalls - how to pick and link the Nordic highlights from New Zealand, and keep your phone working between them.
Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Iguazu, Rio and Colombia's Andes - how to string South America's headline stops together from New Zealand, and how to stay connected between them.
National parks, the Rockies on both sides of the border and the Pacific Coast Highway - crossing over, sizing your data, and one eSIM (or two) for the whole route.
Trip guides
The connectivity side of the classic Kiwi OE - sorted before you're at the gate, not scrambling in a UK arrivals hall.
How to decide between a single Europe-wide bundle and buying country by country, with real cost comparisons.
Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and more, without a new SIM at every border - when one bundle beats buying per country.
Which plan to pick, how much data you actually need, current pricing, and setup - for a country that punishes an unprepared phone.
Which plan to pick, how much data you actually need, current pricing, and the map app that actually works there.
Which plan to pick, how much data you actually need, current pricing, and why Grab needs data the moment you land.
Which plan to pick, how much data you actually need, current pricing, and coverage from Hanoi to the Ha Giang loop.
Three hours from home and still roaming without a plan - which plan to pick and what to know before a quick Aussie trip.
Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu - what Pacific coverage is actually like, and why it's worth checking before you fly.
NZ's favourite short-haul escape eats data faster than you'd expect - what actually needs a plan versus villa Wi-Fi.
Excellent in cities, patchy the moment you're off the interstate - sizing a plan for a US road trip or family visit.
Which plan to pick, whether it actually needs a VPN, VPN recommendations, current pricing, and setup.
Where to stay, what to do, entry rules, cash and staying connected - everything a Kiwi needs for a Fiji trip.
Which Greek islands to combine, how ferries work, when to go and how to keep your phone working at sea and in port.
Which island to pick, the reservations to book early, ocean safety and staying connected - a Hawaii trip planner for Kiwis.
When to go, how to get there, the four linked resorts, backcountry rules and phone data for a Niseko powder trip.
Turn a Changi layover into a proper mini-trip - what fits in 6, 12 or 24 hours, how to reach the city and how to have data the moment you land.
For Aussies and other visitors heading our way - data sorted before you land, and the arrival and road-trip basics that catch people out.
When to go, how to get from Vancouver, the Sea to Sky drive, backcountry safety and phone data for a Whistler Blackcomb trip.
Travel tips
Jet lag, sore legs, carry-on rules and getting online the moment you land - the practical bits of a 12+ hour flight from New Zealand.
Documents, carry-on rules, medicines, power and phone setup - the packing list for a Kiwi heading overseas, including what to declare on the way home.