There are two phone companies in New Zealand: the formerly state-run Telecom , which still has a monopoly on public payphones and local calls, and Clear , which competes for long-distance and international business. There is a huge discrepancy between the rates that apply to calls made from public and private phones in New Zealand, and if at all possible you should try to use private phones . On a private phone, depending on the type of line rental, local calls are either free or cost 20¢ for as long as you want. Long-distance and international calls from New Zealand cost between a third and a half the daytime rate when dialled outside peak hours (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).

Public telephones are pretty easy to find. The most common accept both credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx and Diners; minimum call charge $2, 75¢ additional fee) and slot-in phonecards ($5, $10, $20 and $50), which can be bought at post offices, newsagents, dairies, garages, visitor centres and supermarkets. You'll also see phones which accept these cards and coins (10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1 and $2; no change given); and, rarely, phones which only accept coins.