Buying a Spark SIM for New Zealand? ZenSim Offers the Same Great Coverage for Less

But did you know an Australian-owned start-up offers an eSIM with superb nationwide coverage at a lower cost? Read all about it in our ZenSim vs Spark New Zealand eSIM review.

WHAT IS AN ESIM?

If you’re not familiar with the tech, the eSIM is a digital SIM card you download and install on a phone. This high-tech virtual alternative replaces old-school plastic SIM cards. Most modern smartphones support eSIMs (see our eSIM-compatibility tool), and setting them up only takes a few minutes. 

After installation, your eSIM remains inactive until you arrive in New Zealand, when it will automatically jump into action – just like roaming but without the astronomical fees. 

WHY GET A PRE-PAID NEW ZEALAND ESIM?

Seasoned travellers know global roaming in New Zealand is expensive, especially when you’re stung with rip-off excess data charges. eSIMs keep things chill through a predictable prepaid model that eliminates bill shock. They’re also a whole lot cheaper for a comparable data allowance. 

Penny pinchers could save a couple of bucks by getting a physical NZ SIM card on arrival from a low-end local provider. But you’d have to queue for service, carefully compare plans, crack open your SIM tray (got a safety pin handy?), switch tiny plastic cards, and stand around while the attendant registers your plans. Yawn. 

The eSIM, on the other hand, takes five minutes to install online, and you get a seamless connection the moment your plane hits the tarmac.

ZENSIM VS. SPARK: A NEW ZEALAND ESIM REVIEW

Spark is New Zealand’s largest telco and operates its most extensive mobile internet infrastructure network. Think of it like the Kiwi version of Telstra. The provider offers a broad range of mobile plans for different demographics, including travel packs for overseas tourists visiting New Zealand. 

ZenSim is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) startup based in Australia. We offer travel eSIMs to 201 countries worldwide, including our neighbours across the ditch. In New Zealand, ZenSim uses the Spark network but charges lower prices than Spark. It’s kind of like how some Aussie MVNOs (Boost Mobile, ALDI Mobile, etc.) undercut Telstra despite using the same network.

PRICE

Spark and ZenSim don’t have equivalent data packages, so we’ve compared similar-sized offerings and broken them down into NZD/GB costings. Note that mobile data is generally pretty pricey in New Zealand. 

To clarify, we’re comparing our ZenSim NZ travel eSIM against the Spark Travel Packs, which cater to foreign travellers visiting New Zealand. 

As you can see, ZenSim has way cheaper data for small- and medium-sized plans. If you’re going unlimited, the rates are more comparable, though ZenSim still costs NZ$10 less.

The worst part of Spark is hidden within the T&Cs. Once you exceed your data limit or your travel pack expires, Spark will start charging casual rates: NZ$1.00/day for 10MB, then $0.30/MB. That means a measly 1GB extra would cost you almost  NZ$300 – yowsers. You’d have to monitor your data like a hawk and top up early to avoid getting stung.  

• Winner: ZenSim

SALES & DISCOUNTS

I couldn’t find any discounts or promotions for the Spark travel packs. However, the value-pack top-up packages currently offer double data (but it’s still expensive even with extra GB). 

ZenSim does 10% off for repeat and multi-eSIM customers. We’ll also give you a 10% discount if you top up through our mobile app. Travelling with the crew? Everyone can get a A$5 off as part of our ‘Squad Savings’ referral program. 

• Winner: ZenSim

PARTNER NETWORK

Spark obviously uses its own mobile infrastructure network, which is the most extensive in New Zealand. That means you’re more likely to get a signal when venturing into rural, rugged, or remote areas, perfect for campervan adventures or a ski holiday. 

ZenSim partners with Spark and gives you full access to its entire network. Our customers enjoy the same 4G and 5G coverage without any network-level restrictions. 

• Winner: Tie

UNLIMITED PLANS

Spark has one unlimited plan, which gives you 120GB to use over a 90-day period. Once you’ve hit that limit, you will remain connected, but your speed will get throttled to 1.2 Mbps. 

ZenSim offers three NZ unlimited plans (5, 15, and 30-day) at different prices. All have a transparent 3GB/day data cap, after which your data is throttled to 1 Mbps. Many customers prefer daily-use caps as they reset at midnight, so you can’t blow through too much full-speed data in one go. 

•  Winner: ZenSim (some travellers might prefer Spark for longer trips)

TETHERING

Both ZenSim and Spark allow hotspotting, letting you tether your laptop or another device to your phone without any restrictions. Of course, you still have to consider normal data limits. 

• Winner: Tie

IN-APP TOP UPS

Spark lets you top up its travel packs with a pre-paid value pack, but these are pretty exxy. For example, you’ll pay NZ$18 (A$15 / $10.50 USD) for a 1GB top-up.

Our customers can use the ZenSim mobile app to add a new data pack top-up with a 10% discount. We also allow destination top-ups, which let you add a new country without installing a separate eSIM. 

If you’ll also visit Australia on the same trip, we recommend reviewing our Oceania eSIM. 

• Winner: ZenSim

EASE OF INSTALLATION

Spark sells travel packs in eSIM and physical SIM formats. eSIM customers can install the product through a QR code or manually by copy-pasting a code into their phone's eSIM settings. 

If your smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, you can visit any Spark store (including at the Auckland Airport) to purchase and activate a physical SIM. 

ZenSim is strictly an eSIM-only brand. In addition to QR code and manual installs, we also offer a simplified one-click direct installation through our mobile app. This approach is the simplest way to get started and works on almost all modern iOS and Android smartphones. 

• Winner: ZenSim, though Spark may suit users with non-eSIM-compatible phones. 

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Spark has a New Zealand-based customer support team providing 24/7 assistance for technical faults and lost or stolen phones. Service for other issues is available during office hours (Monday to Friday: 8 am–7 pm and Saturday and Sunday: 8 am–6 pm). 

Spark encourages customers to message through the app first, but has a call centre available when needed. 

ZenSim has Australian agents providing near-24/7 support via WhatsApp. Customers who don’t hear back from us straight away should expect a response shortly. 

• Winner: Tie

TALK & TEXT

All Spark travel packs have unlimited talk & text in Australia and New Zealand, except the smallest 2GB plan, which has a limit. International talk & text is also included, and the limits vary by plan.

Like many travel eSIMs, ZenSim is a data-only service with no phone number. Most travellers find data-only eSIMs sufficient for their needs. WiFi calling is always an option when required.

• Winner: Spark

REFUNDS

Looking at Spark’s T&C’s, its travel packs and other prepaid plans are non-refundable, except in situations covered by New Zealand Consumer Law (such as the eSIM not working). 

ZenSim is easygoing with refunds. We offer customers a 100% cashback guarantee for any reason pre-departure. If you’re experiencing issues after arriving in New Zealand, get in touch with us ASAP, and we’ll see what we can do. 

• Winner: ZenSim

GETTING A SPARK SIM FOR NEW ZEALAND: IS ZENSIM A BETTER CHOICE?

Should you deal with Spark directly? Or purchase data through a low-cost MVNO like ZenSim? 

Spark makes sense if your phone doesn’t support eSIMs, or if you absolutely must have talk & text. 

ZenSim is the better choice if you want a simple, hassle-free solution at a lower price. We also win over customers with our generous refund policy and simple installs and top-ups.  

Why overpay for data in New Zealand? Grab your ZenSim New Zealand eSIM today and save.