Anyone who’s shopped for a mobile plan in New Zealand recently has likely run into the term “unlimited” — but it’s not always what it seems. Speed caps, hotspot limits, and fine print can turn a seemingly great deal into a frustrating experience. All three major providers — Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees — offer unlimited data plans starting around $40 per month, but as Canstar (independent NZ comparison site) points out, most of those plans come with a speed cap of just 3 Mbps. This article cuts through the marketing to compare the real-world value so you can pick the one that actually fits your usage.

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Monthly price range: $40–$100 ·
Max data speed (uncapped plan): Full speed (One NZ $85/m) ·
Speed cap on cheapest unlimited: 3 Mbps (all three providers) ·
Number of major providers: 3 (Spark, One NZ, 2degrees) ·
Hotspot allowance on capped plans: Unlimited but throttled

Here’s a quick comparison of the key specifications across the three providers.

Quick snapshot

1Cheapest Plan
2Best for Hotspotting
  • One NZ Pay Monthly – hotspot included at no extra cost (One NZ official)
  • Rocket Mobile Unlimited – hotspot included, throttled to 1.2Mbps after allocation (Rocket Mobile)
  • Spark $90 plan – hotspot included (estimated from plan features, check Spark site)
3Best for Seniors
4Best Value Unlimited
  • One NZ Endless $40/m – 3 Mbps, good for moderate users (Canstar)
  • 2degrees Unlimited $85/m – full speed, no fair-use cap (Canstar)
  • Spark $90/m – full speed, includes Spotify Premium (Canstar)
Feature Spark One NZ 2degrees
Number of Providers 3 (Spark, One NZ, 2degrees) 3 3
Average Monthly Cost $70–$90 $70–$90 $70–$90
Speed Cap on Basic Unlimited 3 Mbps 3 Mbps 3 Mbps
Full-Speed Unlimited Plan Cost $85–$90 per month $85–$90 per month $85–$90 per month
Contract Options 12-month or month-to-month available 12-month or month-to-month available 12-month or month-to-month available

What is the cheapest unlimited data plan in New Zealand?

The budget-conscious buyer will find that the cheapest unlimited data plan is the Warehouse Mobile Unlimited at $45 per month. According to Mobile-Phones.co.nz (NZ plan aggregator), this plan gives you 50 GB of high-speed data before throttling to 1 Mbps. Among the big three, Spark offers the Unlimited Data Companion at $45/month when added to a main plan, while One NZ and 2degrees both sell basic unlimited tiers at $40/month with a 3 Mbps cap.

Comparing prices of Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees unlimited plans

  • Spark: $45/month (companion), $90/month (full speed) – Spark official
  • One NZ: $40/month (Endless, 3 Mbps), $85/month (Unlimited Max, full speed) – One NZ official
  • 2degrees: $40/month (Unlimited, 3 Mbps), $80–$85/month (Unlimited Max) – Canstar

Understanding hidden fees and contract terms

Most plans are month-to-month, though some add a 12-month term. According to MoneyHub (NZ consumer site), the cheapest plans often lack extras like Spotify Premium or international calls. The catch: if you want full-speed unlimited data, you’ll pay at least $80–$90 per month.

Bottom line: The cheapest unlimited plan is Warehouse Mobile at $45/m, but the big three’s cheapest tiers are capped at 3 Mbps. For full speed, expect to pay upwards of $85/m.

The pattern is clear: the cheapest entry point comes with a significant speed trade-off that heavy users will feel immediately.

Which unlimited data plan is best for seniors?

Seniors get tailored discounts from Spark and One NZ. Spark’s Senior Plan costs $60 per month and includes unlimited data, calls, and texts. One NZ’s equivalent is $65 per month. According to Spark’s mobile plans page, the senior plan is identical to the standard $90 plan in speed and features. One NZ states the same on its Pay Monthly page. 2degrees does not offer a dedicated senior plan.

Requirements for senior plans

  • Spark: Must be 65+ or have a qualifying card. – Spark official
  • One NZ: Must be 65+. – One NZ official

Both plans provide the same 4G/5G speeds as regular plans. The discount is roughly $25–$30 per month compared to the full-price unlimited tiers.

Why this matters

Seniors can save $300–$360 per year by switching to a senior plan, without sacrificing speed or hotspot – provided they choose Spark or One NZ.

The implication: seniors can access premium speeds at a discount, but only from two of the three providers, which narrows the choice considerably.

What are the speed and hotspot limits on unlimited data plans?

The fine print is where “unlimited” gets fuzzy. According to Mobile Compare (NZ plan guide), many “endless” plans give full speed up to a set data cap, then throttle thereafter. All three major carriers cap their cheapest unlimited plans at 3 Mbps. That’s fast enough for email and social media, but not for 4K streaming or large downloads.

Speed caps on basic unlimited tiers

  • Spark: 3 Mbps after 20 GB? No – actually all basic tiers have a hard speed cap of 3 Mbps from the start. – Canstar (NZ financial comparison site)
  • One NZ Endless: 3 Mbps – Canstar
  • 2degrees Unlimited: 3 Mbps – Canstar

Hotspot tethering allowances

One NZ’s Pay Monthly plans include hotspot at no extra cost. Rocket Mobile also includes hotspot, but throttles it to 1.2 Mbps after your initial allocation. Spark’s $90 plan allows hotspot, though the exact speed after cap isn’t spelled out. The key takeaway: hotspot is generally allowed, but on capped plans it will be throttled to the same 3 Mbps.

Bottom line: If you need full-speed hotspot, you must choose a plan that offers full-speed unlimited data – either Spark $90, One NZ $85, or 2degrees $85. All other plans throttle hotspot to 3 Mbps or less.

The catch: if you want full-speed hotspot, you’ll pay a premium for it, which changes the value equation for remote workers or heavy tethers.

How do the major providers compare: Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees?

Three providers, three approaches. The table below puts them side by side on the features that matter most.

Feature Spark One NZ 2degrees
Cheapest unlimited price $45/m (companion) $40/m (Endless) $40/m (Unlimited)
Full-speed unlimited price $90/m $85/m (Unlimited Max) $85/m (Unlimited)
Speed cap on cheapest 3 Mbps 3 Mbps 3 Mbps
Hotspot included Yes (speed capped) Yes (speed capped) Yes (speed capped)
Contract required No (month-to-month available) No (month-to-month available) No (month-to-month available)
Average 5G download speed 262 Mbps 313 Mbps 343 Mbps
Senior plan Yes, $60/m Yes, $65/m No

Data on speeds from Canstar’s 2025 mobile plan analysis. 2degrees leads in 5G download speeds, averaging 343 Mbps, while One NZ and Spark trail at 313 Mbps and 262 Mbps respectively.

Customer satisfaction and network coverage

Canstar also reports average 4G speeds: Spark 58/9 Mbps, One NZ 62/11 Mbps, 2degrees 51/12 Mbps. Coverage for all three is strong in urban areas, but rural users should check maps. One NZ (formerly Vodafone) traditionally has the most extensive rural coverage. MoneyHub’s comparison notes that all three have comparable urban performance.

Is there a prepaid unlimited data plan in New Zealand?

None of the three major carriers offer a prepaid unlimited data plan. Prepaid options from Skinny and Rocket Mobile include data caps after which speeds are throttled. According to MoneyHub (NZ consumer site), prepaid plans generally cost less but come with stricter speed restrictions than postpaid unlimited plans, making them a trade-off for users who want flexibility over performance.

The trade-off

2degrees offers the fastest 5G speeds and a competitive full-price plan, but lacks a senior discount. One NZ matches the speed and adds a senior plan, while Spark’s $90 plan includes Spotify Premium but costs $5 more than One NZ’s equivalent.

The takeaway: each provider has a different sweet spot depending on whether you prioritize speed, price, or perks, so the right choice hinges on your specific usage patterns.

Pros and cons of unlimited data plans

Upsides

  • No need to monitor data usage – all plans are truly unlimited in volume.
  • Hotspot tethering is generally allowed, unlike some international carriers.
  • Month-to-month options available from all three providers, no lock-in.
  • Full-speed plans (Spark $90, One NZ $85, 2degrees $85) offer unthrottled performance for heavy users.

Downsides

  • Basic tiers are capped at 3 Mbps – fine for browsing, frustrating for streaming or big downloads.
  • Full-speed plans are expensive: $85–$90 per month.
  • No prepaid unlimited data from the three major carriers; prepaid options from Skinny and Rocket Mobile have throttling after a cap.
  • Senior plans only available from Spark and One NZ, requiring age verification.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Based on our research, here’s what we know and what remains uncertain about NZ unlimited data plans.

Confirmed facts

  • Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees all offer unlimited data plans with speed caps on basic tiers (Canstar).
  • All three providers have a full-speed unlimited plan at a higher price point ($85–$90) (Canstar).
  • Hotspot tethering is allowed on all plans but speed is capped on lower tiers (One NZ).

What’s unclear

  • Actual speeds after data cap vary by network congestion – no independent real-world test data available.
  • Long-term contract availability may change; check provider websites for the latest terms (Mobile Compare).

What NZ users are saying

“I switched to One NZ Unlimited Max and get full speed all the time, even hotspotting.”

Reddit user on r/newzealand, discussing unlimited plans

“Unlimited Data Companion $45/month when added to a main plan.”

Spark official site

These voices reflect a common pattern: users who upgrade to the full-speed tier are satisfied, while those on the basic tier often discover the speed cap too late.

The reality of unlimited data in New Zealand is that you get what you pay for. The $40–$45 tier buys you unlimited volume but at a pedestrian 3 Mbps, which is enough for messaging and light browsing but not for families or remote workers. The full-speed tier at $85–$90 delivers the advertised speed for hotspotting and streaming. For seniors, Spark and One NZ offer genuine discounts that make unlimited data affordable. The choice boils down to your need for speed: if you can live with 3 Mbps, the cheap plans work; if you can’t, expect to pay more than double.

For a more detailed breakdown of carriers’ fair-use policies and true speeds, jämför obegränsade datamobilabonnemang that includes real-world performance data from sources like the Commerce Commission.

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Frequently asked questions

Does unlimited data mean no throttling at all?

Not necessarily. Most cheap unlimited plans throttle your speed to 3 Mbps from the start. Only the premium tiers (Spark $90, One NZ $85, 2degrees $85) offer unthrottled data.

Can I use unlimited data overseas?

Unlimited data generally applies only within New Zealand. Roaming may incur extra charges – check your provider’s roaming policy.

What happens after I use unlimited data in a month?

Nothing – these plans have no volume cap. But on the basic tier, you’ll always be at 3 Mbps.

Are there any unlimited data plans for students?

None of the three major carriers offer a specific student plan. Students can use the senior plan if eligible, or opt for a low-cost prepaid.

How do I switch to an unlimited data plan in New Zealand?

Contact your provider or check their website. Most offer number porting within 24 hours. No contract is required for month-to-month plans.

Do unlimited plans include unlimited calls and texts?

Yes, all unlimited data plans from Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees include unlimited national calls and texts. Some also include international minutes.

What is the difference between One NZ Endless and Unlimited?

One NZ’s “Endless” is their basic tier at $40/m with a 3 Mbps cap. “Unlimited Max” at $85/m is the full-speed version with no throttle. See One NZ pay monthly page for details.

Is there a family discount on unlimited data plans?

Spark offers group pricing: add lines to a main plan for $45/month each. One NZ and 2degrees do not advertise family discounts.

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