Heading off on OE or just crossing the Tasman? HelloRoam local eSIM plans cover 185+ countries from NZ$1.77. No SIM hunting, no Spark roaming surprise.
HelloRoam local eSIM plans are available online in about 5 minutes. Search for your destination on the HelloRoam catalogue, pick a fixed data plan (3GB to 20GB) or an unlimited daily plan, pay with Apple Pay, PayPal, Visa, or Mastercard, and your QR code arrives by email. No SIM card needed, no Spark or 2degrees store visit required.
Yes, eSIM is safe for banking apps like ANZ goMoney, Westpac One, and ASB Mobile. The GSMA requires end-to-end encryption for every eSIM profile download. Your bank's app runs the same way on a HelloRoam eSIM connection as it does on your Spark or One NZ home network. No security difference.
Local eSIM plans come with three practical limits. A local plan covers only one country, so you need a separate plan for each new destination. An eSIM profile is not transferable between devices once installed, so confirm you're buying for the right phone. eSIM support is also missing on phones made before 2018. For Kiwi travellers heading to a single destination like Australia, Fiji, or Japan, HelloRoam local plans are the most straightforward option.
An e SIM card for international travel is a digital SIM built into your phone that you activate with a QR code before your flight lands. HelloRoam local eSIM plans connect to local networks across 185+ countries, giving you local data rates instead of paying roaming charges to Spark, One NZ, or 2degrees. Plans start from NZ$1.77 per day.
eSIM has two main drawbacks. First, the profile is locked to the phone you scan it on. If you swap handsets mid-OE, contact HelloRoam support for a new QR code. Second, eSIM only works on unlocked phones from 2018 onwards. Kiwis with an older budget model from Noel Leeming or JB Hi-Fi NZ will need a physical SIM card instead.
HelloRoam covers 185+ countries through 199+ partner networks, with plans from NZ$1.77 per day. Country plans cover one destination, regional plans cover multiple countries, and global plans reach 100-plus destinations. Support runs 24/7. For Kiwi travellers heading to Japan, the UK, Thailand, Fiji, or Australia, HelloRoam delivers local data rates with real savings.
Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer are eSIM compatible, including Galaxy Note 20 and the Z Fold and Z Flip series. Budget Galaxy A-series models sold at Noel Leeming and JB Hi-Fi NZ usually lack the chip. On your Samsung, open Settings, tap Connections, then SIM manager. If 'Add eSIM' appears, you're set for a HelloRoam plan.
Local country eSIM plans are one of the best tools for overseas travel. Buy a HelloRoam plan before you leave Auckland or Wellington, skip the SIM hunt at the arrivals hall, and connect to local networks the moment you land. Compared to Spark or One NZ international roaming add-ons, HelloRoam plans save you up to 86% on international data.
HelloRoam does not top up an active plan. When your data runs out in Bali or Melbourne, open the HelloRoam app and buy a new plan for the same country. It loads onto your existing profile with no extra QR code scan. Fixed plans (3GB to 20GB) cover most Kiwi holidays. Unlimited plans suit longer OE legs.
An eSIM registers on local carrier towers the same way a physical SIM does. HelloRoam does not sell or share your location data with anyone. New Zealand's Privacy Act 2020 also applies to how your information is handled. For extra privacy on public Wi-Fi in Tokyo or London, add a VPN app on top of your eSIM connection.
Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models support eSIM, as do Galaxy Note 20 and the Z Fold and Z Flip series. Galaxy A-series phones generally do not support eSIM. Check Samsung spec pages or your carrier settings menu to confirm your model is eSIM-compatible before buying.
HelloRoam eSIM plans install alongside your existing physical SIM, not in place of it. Your home carrier's SIM, whether Spark, One NZ, or 2degrees, stays in your phone for calls and texts. The HelloRoam eSIM runs on a separate digital line and handles your data overseas. On iPhone XS and newer, both lines work at the same time with no SIM swap needed.
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