Telecommunications and Power
Telephones
Telecom New Zealand, TelstraClear and Vodafone offer telephone services throughout New Zealand.
Cordless phones purchased in Australia are generally acceptable for use in New Zealand; however, those purchased in the USA cannot usually be used in New Zealand. The BT jack is the standard telephone (or dial-up modem) connection.
Cellular phones
There are a number of cellular networks in operation in New Zealand, the most dominant players being:
- Telecom’s WCDMA network operating in the 850 MHz band;
- Vodafone’s GSM network operating in the 900 MHz band;
- 2degrees’ GSM network operating in the 900 MHz band.
These networks offer data as well as voice services, and these are generally available in populated areas.
International visitors will need to set up international roaming with their network provider if they want to use their own phones in New Zealand.
Alternatively, local phones and SIM cards are available for rent from the local network operators; see www.telecom.co.nz, www.vodarent.co.nz or
www.2degreesmobile.co.nz for more information.
Calling Cards
International calling cards can be used in New Zealand, and local calling cards (offering good calling rates) are readily available.
Payphones
The number of payphones in New Zealand is diminishing, largely due to high cellphone penetration. However, coin, credit card and phone card phones are still available, particularly in large public places such as railway stations and airports.
Internet and Connectivity
High-speed access (over fibre optic cable) is widely available in the central business districts (CBDs) of the main cities (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch) from a number of operators, including Telecom, TelstraClear, Vector and CityLink.
Outside the CBDs Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is available for high-speed (broadband) internet access. This is available from Telecom and a number of other Internet Service Providers. ADSL can provide about 7.6 megabits per second downloads, and around 800 kilobits per second uploads, although these speeds reduce as the distance to the exchange increases.
Wireless and 3G cellular networks are also available in parts of New Zealand, although these are generally lower speed and higher priced than land-based services. Satellite services are available in rural areas through ICONZ and Bay City Technologies.
Modems
Adaptors for telephone connections are available at electronic shops throughout the country. The New Zealand standard for connecting a modem to a telephone line is via a BT jack.
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Power
Electricity supply is 230/240 volts, 50 hertz (USA voltage is 110 volts). Most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts). New Zealand and Australia use the same type of three-pin plug: adaptors are available from airport and electronic shops. Most laptop computers and other portable devices will have international chargers. If not, step-down transformers will be required and are available from electronic shops in New Zealand.
Note: hairdryers and irons are available in most hotels
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Video and DVD
- New Zealand is on the PAL system
- Multi-player VCRs for NTSC and SECAM are common
- DVD players are Zone 4
- Multi-zone DVD players are widely available
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