Get an NZ SIM card

Why it matters

• Immigration New Zealand says you will need to get a New Zealand SIM card for your mobile phone.
• Inland Revenue says that if your new-arrival IRD number application is approved, you'll receive the number by text or email.
• Police say calls to 111 are free, and you can call 111 on a mobile phone even if it's out of credit.

Steps

1. Learn the emergency number: when you call 111, Police say you'll be asked whether you need Police, Fire or Ambulance.
2. For police matters that aren't emergencies, Police say to use the 105 number.
3. If you have difficulty hearing or talking on the phone: Police say you can register for an emergency TXT service.
4. If you change provider later, you can keep your number. The Commerce Commission says number portability lets you switch providers and keep the same phone number.

Common mistakes

• Trusting a message from a "new number" that claims to be a relative who lost their phone. Consumer Protection says to contact the relative on the number already stored in your phone.
• Giving a one-time verification code to someone who contacts you out of the blue. Consumer Protection lists these codes among the things scammers ask for.

Watch out for

• The Department of Internal Affairs says you can forward a spam or scam text free of charge to 7726 to report it.
• If you have a problem with your phone provider, govt.nz says to complain to the provider first, then to Telecommunications Dispute Resolution, which is free and independent.

Sources