New Zealand calling card:
Even though we brought our own cell phone, we still bought a New Zealand calling card on arrival in New Zealand. A calling card is simply one of the cheapest options to call your friends and family back home. We did a bit of research for you, and found two New Zealand calling cards that are worth taking a closer look at.
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The Yabba calling card (from New Zealand's Telecom) can be used in New Zealand, as well as in most other countries around the world (so you can still use it when you're back home). At the moment of writing (October 2005), calling (from a landline) to the UK and Australia costs $0.13 per minute with this card, to the US and Canada $0.29 per minute, and to countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands $0.30 per minute. For calls within New Zealand, you'll pay $0.30 per minute as well. (Note: there will be a surcharge when you're calling from a cell phone!) The above rates are all inclusive of GST and apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can purchase your Yabba card from various retailers throughout New Zealand, as well as from Shell, NZ Post and Youth Hostel Association (YHA) outlets.
New Zealand calling card: Kia Ora calling cardAnother great option is the Kia Ora calling card. This card too is widely available in New Zealand (at tourist information centres, local dairies, superettes, petrol stations, internet cafes, backpackers and hostels). Their rates are even lower than those of the Yabba card. For example: calling (from a landline) to Australia and Germany will cost you $0.08, and calling to the UK, USA and Canada, France and the Netherlands $0.07 per minute (rates date from October 2005 and are also inclusive of GST). Calls made from a cell phone again will incur a surcharge. However, this calling card can only be used in New Zealand itself. The card is available in five dominations: $5, $10, $20, $30 and $50.
