Smart phone purchase or rental?

[imdying]

I use a 2 degree phone. Didn't notice any difference in service or coverage between them and the previous Telecom phone. I had a lot of smart phones, back to a trusty black and white nokia with no camera now.

[jmmk]

Cheers bro, PM me when you finish your trip.

Not before?

[HenryDorsetCase]

This is what I did. Buy an unlocked phone of your choice in Canada. You can get them at various places, Tiger Direct.ca is one of them. Then when you get to NZ, you can stop by a Vodafone shop and get a paid plan. Tell them you will be calling Canada.... the one I got actually has pretty cheap rates for calling to Canada as long as you are calling a land line. If you call a cell it is expensive. There is a Vodafone shop just on the outskirts of the airport in Auckland.... along with a grocery store and an ATM. Remember to get a bank account in Canada set up that doesn't charge you an arm and a leg to do ATM withdrawals.

EDIT->
BTW - I forgot to mention, make sure it is a phone that works in New Zealand. Most should... if it is a Quad Band GSM phone you are good. Also, I never used a GPS. Basically it New Zealand any town you will find everything in the centre of town down the main strip..... unless it is a bigger city. However, I never had problems finding grocery stores etc. I do suggest you grab a North and South Island Map, plus a regional map for well, all the regions you go to. I did order an Illustrated New Zealand Travel Atlas from AA and got it shipped to Canada before I went over, but it is not necessary. THere are a ton of maps at any touristy area or tourist information location. But if you want GPS, just get a phone in Canada and load the maps for New Zealand before you go.

One more thing -> make sure you read up on the New Zealand "Right of Way" rules... they are a touch different than anywhere else in the world.

theres a really good book which a mate of mine has which is something like "An atlas of New Zealand for motorbike riders": ranks roads the way a motorbike rider does (wiggley = better!) and with smiles. No, I can't think of the title. but some bright spark will know.

[Metastable]

I'll have to keep that in mind if I make it down there for good. I remember seeing a website that talks about different roads and such too. But then again, your roads are barely every straight, so I'm sure I'd have fun just exploring things.

[ynot slow]

New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas-100 great rides by Peter Mitchell,is the book you want $25.00 from Hema Maps.