Roaming vs eSIM

One NZ and 2degrees roaming costs compared with a travel eSIM

October 25, 2026
6 min read
Graba SIM Team

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New Zealand roaming prices, checked on 25 October 2026

New Zealand networks charge a daily roaming fee in their listed destinations, including Australia. A fortnight away can cost more in roaming than a travel eSIM for the whole trip. Below you'll find what each network charges, what that adds up to over a trip, and how to keep your number while using a travel eSIM for data.

The short answer

Compare the current selected product price in your currency with your carrier’s current roaming terms. Older example prices do not establish the amount available or payable today.

Why This Matters

Roaming charges are easy to miss until the bill arrives. If you know the daily price and where it applies before you fly, you can choose to roam, buy a pass or use a travel eSIM.

What New Zealand networks charge for roaming

We checked these prices on each network's own website on 25 October 2026. Our New Zealand roaming costs page links every price to its source and covers all 3 New Zealand networks we track.

Verified New Zealand roaming prices (checked 25 October 2026)
NetworkOptionPriceChargedDataWhere
2degreesDaily roamingNZ$8per dayPlan allowance / not stated100+ daily roaming destinations (incl. Australia)
2degrees500MB Roaming Add-on (other destinations)NZ$57one-off add-on500 MBListed add-on destinations (Afghanistan … Cambodia … per page list)
One NZDaily RoamingNZ$10per day per devicePlan allowance / not stated165+ Daily Roaming destinations

Two things change the price you pay. First, where you are going: networks group countries into lists, and each list has its own price. Second, when you joined: some networks charge customers who joined after a certain date more than older customers.

What a trip costs at those prices

A daily charge looks small until you multiply it by your trip. This table shows what each option costs for 3, 7 and 14 days if you use your phone every day. A pass that lasts longer than the trip is counted once.

What each priced option costs over a trip
NetworkOption3 days7 days14 days
2degreesDaily roamingNZ$24NZ$56NZ$112
One NZDaily RoamingNZ$30NZ$70NZ$140

To compare these totals with a Graba SIM plan for your destination, and choose how much data you need, open any network's page, for example 2degrees roaming costs.

New Zealand networks that don't publish one price

Some networks set roaming prices by plan, so there is no single price to show. You can still see their roaming options and a link to their official page: Spark. If we show no price, it means we could not confirm one, not that roaming is free.

How to avoid a roaming bill on a New Zealand SIM

  1. Check the price for where you are going
    Open your network's roaming page and find the price for the United States. It can depend on your plan and when you joined.
  2. Set up a travel eSIM before you leave
    Buy it and install it at home on Wi-Fi. Leave it switched off until you land.
  3. Turn off data roaming on your usual SIM
    In your phone settings, switch Data Roaming off for your usual SIM. You can keep the SIM on for calls and texts.
  4. Use the eSIM for mobile data
    When you land, switch the eSIM on, choose it for mobile data and turn its Data Roaming on.

Turning data off doesn't stop every charge

Switching Data Roaming off stops your usual SIM using mobile data. Calls, texts and voicemail can still cost money. If you only need your number for security codes, see if your bank or apps can send them to an authenticator app instead.

Two weeks in California from Auckland

Mere is on 2degrees and travels for 14 days. 2degrees charges a daily roaming fee in its listed destinations. She installs a travel eSIM at home, turns data roaming off on her 2degrees line and keeps it on for calls.

How a New Zealand roaming charge starts

  1. 1 Your usual SIM is on abroad
  2. 2 You use your phone that day
  3. 3 Your network adds a daily charge
  4. 4 Use eSIM data instead
Your usual SIM triggers the daily charge. A travel eSIM gives you data on a separate, prepaid line.

Final Thoughts

The same week abroad can cost very different amounts depending on your New Zealand network and plan. Check your network's page, then compare it with a travel eSIM that has the data you need.

Read next: roaming costs compared worldwide, the roaming settings guide, what triggers a daily roaming pass.

Compare New Zealand roaming with Graba SIM

See what every New Zealand network charges for roaming, and what your trip costs with a prepaid Graba SIM eSIM instead.

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