Compare landline providers with affordable calling rates and senior-friendly features. Find the best home phone plan for your needs.
These landline providers offer competitive rates and reliable service for New Zealand seniors.
Most Reliable
Pay-as-you-go calling
Competitive Rates
Pay-as-you-go calling
Lowest Monthly Cost
Pay-as-you-go calling
| Provider | Monthly Cost | National Calls | Mobile Calls | Unlimited Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | $35/month | 18c/min | 99c/min | +$10/month |
| One NZ | $30/month | 15c/min | 79c/min | +$15/month |
| 2degrees | $25/month | 9c/min | 59c/min | +$20/month |
Traditional phone line using copper cables. This is the old-style landline that's been around for decades.
Modern phone service that runs over your internet connection (fibre or wireless broadband).
Choose Copper if: You want maximum reliability during emergencies, live in an area with frequent power cuts, or aren't comfortable with technology. However, copper is being phased out, so this may not be available long-term.
Choose Fibre/VoIP if: You want lower costs, modern features, and have reliable power. Most New Zealanders are now moving to fibre phones. Consider getting a battery backup unit ($50-100) for emergency calling during power cuts.
Pay per minute for calls. Best if you don't use your home phone much.
National calls: 9-18c/min
Mobile calls: 59-99c/min
Good for: Light users (under 100 mins/month)
Unlimited calls to NZ landlines & mobiles. Best for regular phone users.
National calls: Unlimited
Mobile calls: Unlimited
Good for: Regular users (100+ mins/month)
Add international calling to selected countries on top of your plan.
Popular countries: UK, Australia, USA, China, India
Minutes included: 100-500 mins
Good for: Calling family overseas
Pay-as-you-go, occasional calls • Spark/2degrees basic
Unlimited NZ calls • One NZ/Vodafone unlimited
What changes: Your phone connects through your internet router instead of copper line
What stays same: Your existing handset works, keep your phone number
Power backup tip: Buy a UPS battery backup ($80-150) so phone works during power cuts
Calculate if unlimited calling saves you money:
Tip: Check your current phone bill to see how many minutes you use. If you talk for more than 30 minutes per week, unlimited calling usually saves money.
Always have at least one corded phone (not cordless) that doesn't need power. This ensures you can call 111 during power cuts. Keep it plugged into a phone jack or your fibre ONT.
Don't give personal or banking information over the phone. Banks never ask for passwords or PINs. If someone claims to be from your bank, hang up and call the number on your bank card.
Keep a list of important phone numbers near your phone: family members, doctor, pharmacy, neighbours. In an emergency, you may not remember numbers or be able to access your mobile phone.
Get your home phone from the same provider as your internet to save $5-15/month. Many providers offer discounts when you bundle services together. Ask about pensioner or SuperGold Card discounts.
If you have a fibre phone, buy a battery backup unit (UPS) for about $80-150. This keeps your phone working for 2-4 hours during power cuts, ensuring you can call 111 in emergencies.
Many retailers sell phones designed for seniors with large buttons, loud volume, and memory buttons for speed dialing. These can make using your home phone much easier. Prices start from $40.
Many seniors still find value in a home phone. Benefits include: reliable emergency calling (111 always works), better sound quality than mobile phones, no need to remember to charge it, familiarity and ease of use, and it works during mobile network outages. However, if you have reliable mobile coverage and are comfortable with mobile phones, you may not need a landline.
Copper landlines use traditional phone lines and work during power cuts. Fibre home phones (VoIP) require internet connection and power, so they won't work during outages unless you have a battery backup unit. However, fibre phones often have lower monthly costs ($25-35 vs $40-50) and include more free calling features. Chorus is gradually retiring copper lines, so eventually everyone will need to switch to fibre or wireless alternatives.
Yes, you can usually keep your existing phone number when switching providers. This is called number porting and is free. The new provider will handle the transfer, which typically takes 1-3 business days. Your phone service should continue uninterrupted during the switch. Just tell your new provider you want to port your number when signing up.
Chorus is gradually retiring copper landlines as they roll out fibre. If copper is still available in your area, you can keep it. However, you'll eventually need to switch to fibre or wireless home phone. Most providers now offer fibre-based landline services that work similarly to copper phones - you just plug in your regular phone and it works the same way. The main difference is that fibre phones need power and internet to work.
Most providers charge per minute for calls on basic plans. National calls typically cost 9-18 cents per minute. Many plans include free evening/weekend calling or unlimited national calls for a higher monthly fee. Mobile calls cost more (59-99 cents per minute), so unlimited mobile calling add-ons can save money if you call mobiles frequently. International calls are extra unless you add an international calling pack.
Old copper landlines work during power cuts because they get power from the phone line itself. Modern fibre phones need both power and internet to work, so they'll stop working during outages. To ensure emergency calling capability, you can: 1) Buy a battery backup unit (UPS) for $80-150 that provides 2-4 hours of power, 2) Keep a charged mobile phone as backup, or 3) Keep one corded (not cordless) phone that draws power from the line if you still have copper service.
No, your existing landline phones should work fine with fibre. Most providers include an adapter box (called an ATA or Analogue Telephone Adapter) that lets you plug in your regular phone. Both corded and cordless phones work. However, some very old phones may have compatibility issues. If your phone doesn't work, any modern landline phone from electronics retailers will work (starting from $20).
Yes, several discounts may be available: 1) Bundle discount - save $5-15/month by getting home phone and internet from the same provider, 2) Pensioner discounts - some providers offer discounts for NZ Super recipients, 3) SuperGold Card - a few providers offer SuperGold Card holder discounts, 4) Long-term customer discounts - call your provider and ask if they have loyalty discounts. Always ask about available discounts when signing up or renewing your plan.
To reduce scam and telemarketing calls: 1) Register on the Do Not Call Register (donotcall.govt.nz) - free government service that reduces telemarketing, 2) Use your provider's call blocking service - some include this free, others charge $3-5/month, 3) Don't answer calls from numbers you don't recognize - legitimate callers will leave a message, 4) Buy a phone with call blocking features - many senior-friendly phones have built-in blocking. Never give personal or banking information to unsolicited callers.
For overall value and reliability, 2degrees offers the lowest cost at $25/month with 9c/min calling. For best reliability and nationwide coverage, Spark is the most established provider at $35/month. Consider these features when choosing: large, easy-to-press buttons, loud ringer and speaker volume, visual ring indicator (flashing light), memory buttons for speed dialing family, display screen that shows incoming numbers, and emergency button option. Look for phones specifically marketed as "senior phones" or "big button phones" at electronics retailers.
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