Which Provider Has the Best Mobile Coverage?

Currently One NZ is promoting its New Zealand Satellite service, which allows you to send text messages anywhere across the country, even if there’s no mobile phone coverage.

However, while such a service could be the difference between life and death for adventurers and residents in remote regions, and provide back-up in the event of a natural disaster, NZ’s fixed mobile towers remain the backbone of the country’s mobile network.

NZ’s Mobile Coverage

There are three main mobile networks in the country, which were built by 2degrees, Spark and One NZ (formerly Vodafone). Although 2degrees and Spark have since sold their tower assets, they still use the networks they built.

In major centres, there’s very little difference between the three networks. However, in rural and remote areas coverage can vary dramatically. And then there’s 5G, which is more limited in its reach, even in major centres.

But across the networks, which provider offers the best mobile coverage? Search by region below, or read on for a full rundown of which providers offer the best mobile coverage.

North Island Regions

Northland

• 2degrees: Excellent coverage through its 4G network. Few areas are impacted, with fair coverage in most rural regions. The only notable blackspots are extremely remote regions, such as the Puketi and Warawara Forests, and sections along 90-mile Beach and Cape Reinga.
  • 5G: Limited 5G coverage in and around Whangārei, Kerikeri and Kaitaia.

• One NZ: Good coverage through its 4G network. Black spots include Puketi and Warawara Forests, and sections along 90-mile Beach and Cape Reinga.
  • 5G: One NZ has several small pockets in and around Taipa, Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Ruatangata, Whakapara, Waipapa, Whangārei and along State Highway 1 around Ruakākā and Kaiwaka.

• Spark: Fair coverage in populated regions but limited elsewhere. Blackspots across Cape Reinga, Herekino, Waipoua, Taipuha, Tutamoe Range, Warawara Forest, and along 90-mile Beach.
  • 5G: Spark has 5G coverage in Pukenui, Mangōnui, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Dargaville, Whangārei and Mangawhai.

Auckland

• 2degrees: Excellent coverage across the region. While coverage in the Waitākere and Hunua Ranges is limited, it’s more extensive than Spark and One NZ’s coverage.
  • 5G: Most of central Auckland is well covered, including central suburbs like Newmarket, Remuera and Greenlane. Coverage follows State Highway 1 from Northcote and Takapuna in the north to Papatoetoe, Manurewa and Papakura in the south. 2degrees also has coverage out west, from Waitakere down to New Lynn, plus extensive 5G at Auckland Airport.

• One NZ: Excellent coverage across the region. Notable black spots in the Waitākere and Hunua Ranges, but good coverage across Rangitoto and Motutapu Island. 
  • 5G: One NZ’s 5G network is widespread in Auckland, although patchy. It’s concentrated in built-up areas, so while you can expect it to work throughout the wider Auckland region, you can also expect it to dip in and out as you move about. Notably, One NZ’s 5G coverage stretches from Warkworth and Orewa in the north to Drury and Pukekohe in the south, and from Henderson in the west to Howick and Beachlands in the east.

• Spark: Excellent coverage across its 4G network. However, some black spots in the Waitākere and Hunua Ranges.
  • 5G: Spark has pockets of 5G mobile coverage across Auckland. Its 5G coverage is centered on downtown Auckland, but spreads out along major arterial roads, south to Tuakau, north to Sunnynook and east and west to Botany Downs and Kumeū, respectively.

Waikato

• 2degrees: Great coverage, with even tough spots such as Pureora Forest Park and Waipa Valley receiving fair coverage. 2degrees also offers good coverage along most of the west coast (with one significant black spot around Marokopa to Waikauwau) and limited coverage through the Coromandel Ranges.
  • 5G: Good coverage around towns including Huntly, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Matamata and Tokoroa.

• One NZ: Has great coverage in urban areas and, for the most part, fair coverage elsewhere across Waikato. However, Coromandel Forest Park has limited coverage, as do areas on the west coast, such as Port Waikato, and Marokopa to Waikauwau. Mobile coverage is very limited in Pureora Forest Park, Mamaku Plateau and Waipa Valley.
  • 5G: Coverage around towns including Huntly, Hamilton, Ōhaupō, Te Awamutu and Matamata and Tokoroa. Also around Coromandel centres such as Thames, Whitianga, Tairua, Whangamatā and Waihi.

• Spark: Good coverage in most urban and populated areas, but significant areas of limited coverage elsewhere. Significant black spots in large sections across the Coromandel, and a large section across the west coast from Port Waikato down to Waikauwau (with the exception of Raglan). Plus Pureora Forest Park, Mamaku Plateau and Waipa Valley.
  • 5G: Available across much of Hamilton, as well as Huntly, Hamilton, Ōhaupō, Te Awamutu and Matamata and Tokoroa. Also around Coromandel centres such as Thames, Whitianga, Tairua and Whangamatā and Waihi.

Bay of Plenty

• 2degrees: Good coverage along the coast and major areas but, again, service elsewhere is limited. The same stretch from Te Urewera, beyond Raukumara Forest Park and out to the coast is for the most part without service, with patches of limited availability.
  • 5G: Coverage across parts of Tauranga, Rotorua and Kawerau. Further inland, in the Central North Island, 2degrees has good 5G coverage in central Taupō.

• One NZ: Good coverage along the coast and major areas but, again, there is a significant black spot from Te Urewera, beyond Raukumara Forest Park and out to the coast.
  • 5G: Has pockets of 5G coverage across many towns in the Bay of Plenty. These include Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa, Te Puke, Whakatane, Ōhope, Ōpōtiki, Kawerau and Rotorua. Inland, in the Central North Island, 2degrees has extensive 5G coverage in and around Murupara and Taupō.

• Spark: Good coverage along the east coast and in main centres, such as Rotorua and surrounding areas. But large and significant black spots for most of inland Bay of Plenty, including a large swathe of no coverage from Te Urewera, beyond Raukumara Forest Park and out to the coast.
  • 5G: Coverage in pockets across Tauranga, Rotorua and Edgecumbe, Ōhope, Ōpōtiki and inland in Taupō.

Gisborne

• 2degrees: Good coverage along Gisborne’s coastline and around Gisborne itself. Fair coverage as you head inland along the border with Hawke’s Bay, but coverage inland along the Bay of Plenty border is limited, for example, the Waikura Valley down to Mōtū.
  • 5G: No.

• One NZ: Limited to no coverage along the border with Bay of Plenty, from Waikura Valley down to Mōtū. But good coverage for most urban areas and coastal regions.
  • 5G: Coverage limited to Gisborne and further south in Wairoa.

• Spark: Limited to no coverage along the border with Bay of Plenty, from Waikura Valley down to Mōtū. But good coverage for most urban areas and coastal regions.
  • 5G: Coverage limited to Gisborne and further south in Wairoa.

Hawke’s Bay

• 2degrees: Thorough coverage along the coast that gets more patchy as you move towards the Kaweka Forest Park area, which has very limited coverage, if any.
  • 5G: In and around Napier and Clive, and also in Hastings.

• One NZ: Thorough coverage along the coast that gets more patchy as you move towards the Kaweka Forest Park area, which has limited to no coverage.
  • 5G: In and around Napier and Clive, and also in Waipukurau.

• Spark: Good coverage along the coast that gets more patchy as you move towards the Kaweka Forest Park area, where coverage is very limited.
  • 5G: In Napier and Clive, and also in Waipawa and Waipukurau

Taranaki

• 2degrees: Fair coverage aside from the east side of Mount Taranaki. Black spots include the area from Ahititi into Makahu and down to Paparangi.
  • 5G: Around New Plymouth and Waitara, then in Stratford and Hāwera.

• One NZ: Fair coverage aside from the east side of Mount Taranaki. Black spots include the area from Ahititi into Makahu and down to Paparangi.
  • 5G: Has 5G across New Plymouth, as well as in Waitara, Inglewood, Ōakura, Ōkato, Eltham, Manaia and Hāwera. Also further south in Eltham, Manaia and Hāwera.

• Spark: Fair coverage aside from the north side of Mount Taranaki. Black spots include the area from Ahititi into Makahu and down to Paparangi.
  • 5G: Spark has 5G coverage in New Plymouth, Inglewood and Waitara. Also south in Eltham, Ōpunake and Hāwera.

Manawatū-Whanganui

• 2degrees:  Mostly good coverage apart from a large black spot across Whanganui National Park and surrounding areas. Areas north of Hunterville have limited coverage.
  • 5G: Limited coverage in Whanganui, Marton, Dannevirke, Palmerston North and Foxton.

• One NZ: Mostly good coverage apart from a large black spot across Whanganui National Park and patchy coverage in surrounding areas, extending into rural parts north of Hunterville.
  • 5G: Has an extensive 5G network across Whanganui. It’s available in key towns across the region, such as Marton, Bulls, Feilding, Palmerston North, Foxton, Dannevirke, Levin, Shannon and Ohakea.

• Spark: Mostly good coverage through Spark’s 4G network, apart from a large black spot across Whanganui National Park and surrounding areas, extending across and into rural parts north of Hunterville.
  • 5G: Yes, in Whanganui, Palmerston North and Levin and along State Highway 1 from Taihape to Marton.

Wellington

• 2degrees: Good coverage in urban areas with limited coverage elsewhere. Coverage patchy in Pakuratahi Forest area around Lake Wairarapa and from Te Awiti to Cape Palisar.
  • 5G: Good coverage through Wellington CBD and into Thorndon, Aro Valley and Te Aro, also across to Eastbourne and Days Bay.

• One NZ: Good coverage in urban areas, but large areas of no coverage elsewhere. Black spots include the Wairarapa with patches from Weber to Flat Point, Flat Point to Cape Palliser and across to Aorangi Forest Park. Plus the Tararua ranges, Akatawara Forest, and the Pakuratahi Forest. Service is limited and patchy throughout the Remutaka ranges.
  • 5G: Good coverage into Wellington, following State Highway 1 from Porirua and State Highway 2 from Te Mārua.

• Spark: Good coverage in urban areas, but large areas of no coverage elsewhere. Black spots include the Wairarapa with patches from Weber to Flat Point, Flat Point to Cape Palliser and across to Aorangi Forest Park. Plus the Tararua ranges, Akatawara Forest, the Remutaka ranges and Pakuratahi Forest.
  • 5G: Coverage into Wellington, at towns along State Highway 1 from Waikanae and State Highway 2 from Masterton to Featherston and then into the city from Upper Hutt.

South Island

Tasman

• 2degrees: Fair coverage in towns but limited beyond that. Much of the region consists of national parks and, for the most part, has little to no coverage.
  • 5G: Yes, in Brightwater and Motueka.

• One NZ: Good coverage around towns, but limited beyond that. Much of the region consists of national parks and, for the most part, has little to no coverage.
  • 5G: Yes, in Brightwater and Motueka.

• Spark: Fair coverage in towns but extremely limited beyond that, due to remoteness of national parks.
  • 5G: Yes, in Tākaka and Motueka.

Nelson

• 2degrees: Excellent coverage in Nelson city and surrounding areas, with fair, but somewhat patchy, coverage through the ranges.
  • 5G: Yes, in Nelson.

• One NZ: Excellent coverage in Nelson city and surrounding areas, with fair, but somewhat patchy, coverage through the ranges.
  • 5G: Yes, in Nelson.

• Spark: Excellent coverage in Nelson city and surrounding areas, with fair, but somewhat patchy, coverage through the ranges.
  • 5G: Yes, in Nelson.

Marlborough

• 2degrees: Good coverage in urban areas and along the coast, but limited coverage beyond that, plus significant black spots across all of Mount Richmond and Tapuae-O-Ueneku.
  • 5G: Yes, in Blenheim and Kaikōura.

• One NZ: Good coverage in urban areas and along the coast, but limited coverage beyond that, plus significant black spots across all of Mount Richmond and Tapuae-O-Ueneku.
  • 5G: Yes, in Blenheim and Kaikōura.

• Spark: Good coverage in urban areas and along the coast, but limited coverage beyond that, plus significant black spots across all of Mount Richmond and Tapuae-O-Ueneku.
  • 5G: Yes, in Blenheim and Kaikōura.

West Coast

• 2degrees: Limited coverage hugging the coastline. Inland and throughout the ranges coverage is significantly limited but, even so, most inland towns, such as Reefton and Greymouth, have fair coverage.
  • 5G: Only in Greymouth.

• One NZ: Limited coverage hugging the coastline. Inland and throughout the ranges coverage is significantly limited but, even so, most inland towns, such as Reefton and Greymouth, have fair coverage.
  • 5G: Yes, in Westport, Greymouth, Gladstone, Hokitika and Franz Josef.

• Spark: Limited coverage hugging the coastline. Inland and throughout the ranges coverage is significantly limited but, even so, most inland towns, such as Reefton and Greymouth, have fair coverage.
  • 5G: Yes, in Westport, around Barrytown and in Greymouth and Hokitika.

Canterbury

• 2degrees: Fair coverage overall, with most urban areas, towns and cities all receiving fair to good coverage. Remote areas are much more limited. A large swathe of the Southern Alps and central South Island have no mobile coverage.
  • 5G: 2Degrees has extensive coverage across Christchurch, Timaru and Oamaru.

• One NZ: Fair coverage overall, with most urban areas, towns and cities all receiving fair to good coverage. Remote areas are much more limited. A large swathe of the Southern Alps and central South Island have no mobile coverage.
  • 5G: Has extensive coverage from Waikuku Beach, across Christchurch, Ashburton, Geraldine, Temuka and Timaru.

• Spark: Fair coverage overall, with most urban areas, towns and cities all receiving fair to good coverage. Remote areas are much more limited. A large swathe of the Southern Alps and central South Island have no mobile coverage.
  • 5G: Christchurch’s CBD is well covered by Spark’s 5G network. Spark also has coverage in Ashburton, Twizel, Tekapo, Timaru and Oamaru.

Otago

• 2degrees: Limited coverage throughout the region. Black spots include Ahuriri Conservation Park, the northern part of Lindis Valley, Manorburn to Paerau, Waipori Falls. Main centres such as Dunedin and Queenstown have good coverage.
  • 5G: In Dunedin and Mosgiel, Cromwell and around Wanaka, Queenstown and Arrowtown.

• One NZ: Patchy coverage throughout the region. Black spots similar to 2degrees. Main centres such as Dunedin and Queenstown have good coverage.
  • 5G: Offers 5G in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Frankton and Lake Hayes, as well as Cromwell, Alexandria and central parts of Dunedin.

• Spark: Patchy coverage throughout the region. Black spots similar to the other two networks. Main centres such as Dunedin and Queenstown have good coverage.
  • 5G: Spark’s 5G network in Otago covers Dunedin, Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka, as well as Mosgiel, Cromwell, Clyde and Alexandra.

Southland

• 2degrees: Limited coverage across the region, although main centres are covered. Black spots include patches through the Catlins, north of Colac Bay, all of Fiordland National Park and all of Milford Sound.
  • 5G: Yes, in Gore, Winton, Invercargill and Bluff.

• One NZ: Limited coverage across the region, although main centres are covered. Black spots include patches through the Catlins, north of Colac Bay, all of Fiordland National Park and all of Milford Sound.
  • 5G: Yes, in Invercargill, Gore, Winton, Wallacetown and in Te Anau, Milton and Balclutha.

• Spark: Limited coverage across the region, although main centres are covered. Black spots include patches through the Catlins, north of Colac Bay, all of Fiordland National Park and all of Milford Sound.
  • 5G: Yes, spots in Te Anau, Tuatapere, Riversdale, Gore and Mataura, through to central Invercargill, Mataura, Gore, Balclutha, Owaka and Lawrence. Plus a tower on Island Harbour, Bluff.

Which provider has the best mobile coverage?

General coverage

If you’re in a populated area, then all providers should offer plenty of coverage, as nearly every main urban area in the country is covered. While it can look like much of the country is without reliable mobile coverage (which is in many ways true) it’s important to note these areas are usually extremely remote.

However, overall, according to the latest Opensignal Mobile Network Experience Report, Spark has the widest coverage across the country, followed by One NZ and then 2degrees. Marked out of ten, each network provider earns the following points for their general network coverage:

• Spark: 9/10
• One NZ: 8.2/10
• 2degrees: 7.7/10

5G coverage

Again, according to Opensignal, One NZ has the widest 5G coverage, sitting just ahead of Spark. Out of 10, each network provider earns the following points for their 5G network coverage. As you can see from the scores, the networks have a way to go before their 5G networks match their 4G coverage:

• One NZ: 3.8/10
• Spark: 3.7/10
• 2degrees: 3.0/10

For a more detailed breakdown of the main providers’ mobile coverage, or to see what’s available at your address, click one of the links below:

Spark
One NZ
2degrees

Compare Phone Providers

About the author of this page

Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Content Manager. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has +worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery book 5 Minute Murder.