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Cheapest & Best Unlimited Data Mobile Plan NZ (2025 Comparison)

James Freddie Howard Bennett • 2026-05-08 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

Looking for an unlimited data plan in New Zealand feels a bit like hunting for a unicorn — they’re advertised everywhere, but the fine print usually tells a different story. The cheapest advertised plan, One NZ’s Endless $50 offer, comes with a speed cap after a data threshold, and none of the major carriers provide truly unlimited high-speed data.

Major providers offering unlimited data: 3 (Spark, One NZ, 2degrees) ·
Starting price per month (One NZ Endless): NZD $50 ·
Spark’s equivalent plan price: NZD $65 (Endless Pay Monthly) ·
2degrees Unlimited Data plan price: NZD $69.99 ·
Speed cap on lowest-cost plans: Often 1.2–3 Mbps after initial high-speed data ·
Number of plans with true unlimited (no cap): 0 (all have throttling after threshold)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Competition may drive one carrier to offer truly unlimited high-speed data; currently none do (Canstar (NZ comparison platform))
  • 5G expansion could reshape fair-use thresholds and hotspot allowances (Canstar (NZ comparison platform))

Here’s how the three major plans stack up head‑to‑head.

Unlimited data plan comparison
Provider Starting price Best for
One NZ Endless $50 NZD $50 Hotspot (50GB high-speed)
Spark Endless Pay Monthly $65 NZD $65 Rural coverage
2degrees Unlimited Data $69.99 NZD $69.99 Data carryover
Key facts at a glance
Cheapest unlimited plan One NZ Endless $50/month
Best hotspot allowance One NZ (50GB high-speed)
Best coverage (rural) Spark
Only carrier with data carryover 2degrees
Throttled speed after cap (average) 1–1.5 Mbps
Fastest 5G download speed 2degrees (343 Mbps)

What is the cheapest unlimited mobile data plan in NZ?

Cheapest plan from One NZ

  • One NZ’s Endless plan starts at NZD $50 per month, making it the lowest advertised unlimited data plan in the country (One NZ official (carrier website)). After 50GB of high-speed data, speeds drop to 1.2 Mbps.

Cheapest plan from Spark

  • Spark’s Endless Pay Monthly plan begins at NZD $65 per month. It includes unlimited data but throttles to around 1.5 Mbps after 100GB on the entry tier (Spark NZ official (carrier website)).

Cheapest plan from 2degrees

  • 2degrees Unlimited Talk & Data costs NZD $69.99 per month. It offers 120GB at full speed before throttling to 1 Mbps, and unused high-speed data rolls over (Mobile Phones NZ (plan comparison site)).

Warehouse Mobile and MVNO alternatives

  • Warehouse Mobile’s Unlimited plan at $45/month is the cheapest overall, but caps high-speed data at 50GB before throttling to 1 Mbps (Mobile Phones NZ (plan comparison site)).
  • Rocket Mobile offers unlimited data at 10 Mbps speeds for $75/month, with 20GB hotspot, powered by One NZ’s network (Rocket Mobile (MVNO, official site)).

The implication: the cheapest sticker price is $45 from Warehouse Mobile, but the trade-off is a low high-speed cap and aggressive throttling. One NZ’s $50 plan gives the most high-speed data per dollar among the big three.

Bottom line: One NZ’s $50 plan is the cheapest from the big three; Warehouse Mobile undercuts it by $5 but with the same throttle cap.

Which provider has the best unlimited data mobile plan in NZ?

Criteria: price, speed, hotspot allowance, coverage

  • Price: One NZ Endless $50 wins for base cost, but 2degrees offers better value with data carryover.
  • Hotspot: One NZ includes 50GB high-speed hotspot on its $65 and $85 plans.
  • Coverage: Spark leads in rural areas.
  • 5G speeds: 2degrees averages 343 Mbps download, One NZ 313 Mbps, Spark 262 Mbps (Canstar (NZ comparison platform)).

Best for heavy streamers

  • One NZ’s $85 Endless Max plan offers truly unlimited high-speed data with no throttling, plus satellite text capability.
  • Spark’s $69 Endless plan includes Spotify Premium and no throttling on data, but hotspot is capped at 50GB.

Best for hotspot users

  • One NZ’s Endless Plus ($65) provides 50GB high-speed hotspot, the largest allowance among the three. 2degrees limits hotspot to 10GB on its base plan, while Spark offers up to 50GB on higher tiers.

Best for light users

  • Skinny’s $50 plan from Spark gives 6GB at full speed then endless throttled data, making it a cheap option for those who stay near Wi-Fi.
The trade-off

Heavy streamers get the best value from One NZ’s $85 plan, but hotspot users face a catch: no carrier offers truly unlimited hotspot. Even One NZ’s 50GB allowance can vanish quickly for whole-home tethering.

The pattern: there is no single “best” plan — the winner depends on whether you prioritise price, hotspot, coverage, or speed. One NZ leads on hotspot and price, Spark on rural coverage, 2degrees on data carryover.

What unlimited data plans does One NZ offer?

One Plan (retired but still active)

  • The legacy One Plan provides unlimited data at max speeds with no throttling, but is no longer sold to new customers. Existing users keep it.

Endless plans: $50, $65, $85 tiers

  • $50 Endless: unlimited data, 50GB high-speed, then 1.2 Mbps throttle, no hotspot included.
  • $65 Endless Plus: 50GB high-speed hotspot, 250 mins/50 texts to 20 international destinations, satellite TXT add-on available.
  • $85 Endless Max: truly unlimited high-speed data, no speed cap, includes satellite text and international calls.

Data allowances and speed caps per tier

  • All Endless plans throttle after a monthly high-speed cap. The $50 plan caps at 50GB; $65 and $85 have higher or no caps.

One NZ’s strategy: segment users by data hunger. The $50 tier is a loss leader; the $85 tier is the only true “unlimited” option among the big three.

What are the unlimited data plans from Spark?

Spark Endless Pay Monthly

  • Spark’s Endless Pay Monthly plans start at $65/month. They include unlimited calls and texts in NZ and Australia, and data throttles after a monthly cap varies by plan (e.g., 100GB on the $65 tier).

Spark Unlimited Data (retired plans)

  • Older Spark unlimited plans are still active for existing customers, but new sign-ups use Endless Pay Monthly only.

Speed capping and hotspot limits

  • After the full-speed data cap, Spark throttles to approximately 1.5 Mbps. Hotspot data is limited to 50GB on most plans.
Why this matters

Spark’s rural coverage is the best in NZ, but its throttled speeds and hotspot caps mean heavy users in remote areas still face the same limits as city dwellers.

Catch: Spark’s $69 plan includes Spotify Premium, a rare perk, but its hotspot allowance lags behind One NZ’s $65 plan.

Is there a free unlimited data mobile plan in NZ?

No carrier offers a completely free unlimited data plan. Some broadband bundles include temporary unlimited mobile data, but standalone plans always come with a monthly cost. Warehouse Mobile’s $45 prepaid plan is the cheapest entry point, but still not free.

How do unlimited data mobile plans in NZ compare on speed and fairness?

Speed after high-speed data cap

  • One NZ: throttles to 1.2 Mbps on $50 plan, 1.5 Mbps on $65, no throttle on $85.
  • Spark: throttles to ~1.5 Mbps after cap.
  • 2degrees: throttles to 1 Mbps after 120GB full-speed data.

Fair use policy details

  • 2degrees allows carryover of unused high-speed data to the next month, effectively giving more value for lighter months.
  • One NZ and Spark do not offer data carryover on unlimited plans.

Network performance (4G vs 5G)

  • 2degrees averages 343 Mbps down on 5G, One NZ 313 Mbps, Spark 262 Mbps.
  • All three carriers offer 5G on their unlimited plans, but actual speeds depend on location and congestion.

Clarity: no carrier offers truly unlimited high-speed data on base tiers. The fairest policy belongs to 2degrees with its carryover, while One NZ and Spark rely on hard caps to manage bandwidth.

Bottom line: throttled speeds after caps are similar across carriers; 2degrees stands out with data carryover for lighter months.

Upsides

  • One NZ $50 is the cheapest entry point among big three
  • One NZ $85 offers truly unlimited speed (no cap)
  • 2degrees allows data carryover
  • Spark has best rural coverage and includes Spotify on some plans
  • Warehouse Mobile $45 is the absolute cheapest unlimited plan

Downsides

  • All base plans throttle to 1–1.5 Mbps after high-speed cap
  • Hotspot allowances are limited (10–50GB)
  • No truly free unlimited plan exists
  • Throttled speeds are too slow for HD streaming or tethering
  • 2degrees’ $69.99 plan is the most expensive base tier

What the carriers say

“Our Endless plans are designed for Kiwis who want the freedom of unlimited data, with high-speed options for hotspotting and streaming.” – One NZ spokesperson

One NZ official (carrier website)

“Spark’s network covers more of New Zealand than any other provider, and our Endless plans give you unlimited peace of mind.” – Spark product manager

Spark NZ official (carrier website)

“Our unlimited data plan with carryover means you never lose your unused high-speed data.” – 2degrees marketing material

Mobile Phones NZ (plan comparison site)

For a heavy hotspot user in Auckland, the choice is clear: One NZ’s $65 plan offers the best hotspot allowance, but the 50GB cap means you’ll be throttled after about 10 hours of HD streaming. Light users in rural areas will find Spark’s coverage a better trade-off for the higher monthly price.

Related reading: Cheap SIM Deals Vodafone – Best Ireland Plans Compared

Additional sources

glimp.co.nz

For a closer look at what One NZ offers, check out this detailed guide on One NZ unlimited data plans.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use unlimited data plans for 5G?

Yes, all three major carriers support 5G on their unlimited plans, but actual speeds depend on coverage and congestion (Canstar (NZ comparison platform)).

What happens after I hit the high-speed data cap?

Speeds are throttled to 1–1.5 Mbps, enough for messaging and web browsing but not for streaming video or large downloads (MoneyHub NZ (independent comparison site)).

Do any unlimited plans include a free 5G router?

Some promotions bundle a 5G router with broadband, but standalone unlimited mobile plans do not include one.

Are there unlimited data plans for tourists in NZ?

Tourist-specific plans exist but are primarily prepaid with limited high-speed data; no carrier offers unlimited plans for short-term visitors.

How do I switch my current number to an unlimited plan?

You can port your number to any carrier for free. Start the process on the carrier’s website or at a store.

Do unlimited plans require a credit check?

Postpaid plans typically require a credit check; prepaid unlimited plans (like Warehouse Mobile) do not.

What is the cancellation fee for unlimited plans?

Most carriers have no cancellation fee on month-to-month plans, but if you’re on a fixed-term contract, early termination fees may apply.

Can I get unlimited data on a prepaid plan?

Yes, Warehouse Mobile offers a $45 prepaid unlimited plan with a 50GB high-speed cap (Mobile Phones NZ (plan comparison site)).

Bottom line: Unlimited data plans in NZ are not truly unlimited — they all come with speed caps and hotspot limits. For heavy hotspot users, One NZ’s $65 Endless Plus is the best compromise. For light users on a budget, Warehouse Mobile’s $45 plan or Skinny’s $50 plan offer the cheapest way to stay connected without worrying about overage fees.



James Freddie Howard Bennett

About the author

James Freddie Howard Bennett

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.