Quick Answer: Spark vs One NZ
Spark NZ is New Zealand’s largest broadband provider with 687,000 subscribers. Formerly Telecom New Zealand, Spark offers fibre plans from NZD 101 per month with Netflix included on Plus plans and Hyperfibre up to 8 Gbps.
One NZ, formerly Vodafone New Zealand, is the country’s largest mobile carrier with 38% wireless market share. One NZ offers fibre from NZD 85 per month and the widest 5G Home Broadband coverage across more than 70 towns.
Quick verdict: Spark for Netflix bundles and premium support. One NZ for lower fibre pricing and 5G wireless home internet.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Both providers deliver fibre over the same Chorus wholesale network. The main differences are pricing, bundled features, and wireless alternatives.
| Feature | Spark NZ | One NZ |
|---|---|---|
| Former Name | Telecom New Zealand | Vodafone New Zealand |
| Broadband Customers | 687,000 | Not disclosed |
| Mobile Market Share | 41% | 38% |
| Founded | 1987 | 1998 |
| Owner | Spark NZ Limited | Infratil |
| Fibre Network | Chorus (wholesale) | Chorus (wholesale) |
| Starting Price (Fibre) | NZD 101/month | NZD 85/month |
| Max Fibre Speed | 8 Gbps (Hyperfibre) | 4 Gbps (Hyperfibre) |
| Netflix Included | Yes (Plus plans) | No |
| 5G Home Broadband | Available | 70+ towns |
| Modem Included | Smart Modem | Standard modem |
| SmartWiFi/Mesh | Included on plans | NZD 5/month add-on |
Test Your Spark Speed | Test Your One NZ Speed
Speed Comparison
Fibre Broadband Speed
Both Spark and One NZ deliver fibre over the Chorus network. Since the underlying infrastructure is identical, speed differences come from the plan tier you choose, not the provider.
Spark Fibre Plans:
- Essential Fibre: 300/100 Mbps (NZD 101/month)
- Essential Fibre Plus: 300/100 Mbps (NZD 113/month) - Netflix included
- Max Fibre: 900/500 Mbps (NZD 116/month)
- Max Fibre Plus: 900/500 Mbps (NZD 128/month) - Netflix included
- Hyperfibre: up to 8 Gbps
One NZ Fibre Plans:
- Unlimited Fibre: 300/100 Mbps (NZD 85/month)
- Fibre Max: 900/500 Mbps (NZD 105/month)
- Hyperfibre 2000: 2 Gbps symmetric (NZD 130/month)
- Hyperfibre 4000: 4 Gbps
From June 2025, Chorus upgraded the 300 Mbps wholesale tier to 500/100 Mbps. Both providers benefit from this upgrade.
Winner: Tie for standard fibre (same Chorus network). Spark offers higher Hyperfibre speeds at 8 Gbps.
5G Wireless Speed
One NZ’s 5G Home Broadband delivers up to 300 Mbps and covers more than 70 towns. Spark also offers 5G Home Wireless but in fewer locations. Wireless speeds vary based on tower distance and building materials.
Run Speed Test Now to check your actual connection speed.
Coverage Comparison
Fibre Coverage
Both Spark and One NZ use the Chorus fibre network, so fibre availability is identical at any given address. If Chorus fibre is available at your home, you can choose either provider.
Coverage by region:
- Auckland: Full Chorus fibre coverage
- Wellington: Strong fibre coverage across the region
- Christchurch: Chorus and Enable fibre networks
- Regional centers: Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin have good fibre
- Rural areas: VDSL or wireless broadband where fibre is unavailable
5G Wireless Coverage
One NZ: 5G Home Broadband available in 70+ towns and cities. Largest 5G wireless home internet footprint in New Zealand.
Spark: 5G Home Wireless available in growing locations. Spark operates 5G mobile with 98% population coverage for mobile.
Winner: One NZ for 5G home broadband coverage. Both are identical for fibre.
Pricing Comparison
All prices are in NZD ($). Both providers increased fibre prices in 2025.
Fibre Plan Comparison
| Speed Tier | Spark | One NZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps | $101/month | $85/month | One NZ $16 cheaper |
| 300 Mbps + Netflix | $113/month | N/A | Spark only |
| 900 Mbps | $116/month | $105/month | One NZ $11 cheaper |
| 900 Mbps + Netflix | $128/month | N/A | Spark only |
| 2 Gbps Hyperfibre | Available | $130/month | Both offer |
| 5G Home Wireless | Available | $80/month | One NZ established |
One NZ is NZD 11-16 cheaper per month on equivalent fibre tiers. Over 12 months, that saves NZD 132-192.
Spark Plus plans include Netflix Standard (worth approximately NZD 18/month). If you would subscribe to Netflix separately, the Spark Plus plan breaks even at around NZD 3 more than One NZ plus a Netflix subscription.
Pros and Cons
Spark Advantages
- Largest broadband provider in NZ with 687,000 subscribers
- Netflix Standard included on Plus plans
- Smart Modem included with all fibre plans
- Hyperfibre options up to 8 Gbps
- McAfee Security included on Plus plans
- Largest retail store network for in-person support
Spark Disadvantages
- Most expensive fibre plans starting at NZD 101
- NZD 5 price increase applied from August 2025
- Netflix only on Plus plans at NZD 113+
- Budget users pay for bundled features they may not need
- Same Chorus fibre as cheaper providers
One NZ Advantages
- NZD 16 cheaper for 300 Mbps fibre vs Spark
- Largest 5G Home Broadband network in 70+ towns
- New Zealand’s first and largest 5G mobile network
- SmartWiFi mesh available as optional add-on
- No contract required on fibre plans
One NZ Disadvantages
- No Netflix or streaming bundled with broadband
- SmartWiFi mesh costs NZD 5 per month extra
- 5G Home Broadband speeds vary by location and congestion
- Maximum Hyperfibre at 4 Gbps vs Spark’s 8 Gbps
- Fewer retail stores than Spark
Which Should You Choose?
Both providers run on the same Chorus fibre, so the decision comes down to pricing, bundles, and wireless options.
| Use Case | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest fibre price | One NZ | NZD 85 vs Spark’s NZD 101 for 300 Mbps |
| Netflix bundled | Spark | Netflix Standard included on Plus plans |
| 5G home broadband | One NZ | 70+ towns covered, NZD 80/month |
| Maximum fibre speed | Spark | Hyperfibre up to 8 Gbps |
| In-store support | Spark | Largest retail network in NZ |
| Budget conscious | One NZ | Save NZD 132-192 per year on fibre |
| Rural without fibre | One NZ | Wider 5G wireless coverage |
| Family with streaming | Spark | Netflix plus McAfee included |
How to Run a Fair Speed Test
Since both providers use Chorus fibre, speed differences are minimal at the same plan tier. Testing helps confirm your connection is performing as expected.
Test steps:
- Connect to your modem with an ethernet cable for accurate results.
- Close all background applications, streaming, and downloads.
- Run 3 tests at different times of day.
- Compare download, upload, and latency against your plan tier.
- For 5G Home Broadband, place the router near a window facing the nearest tower.
If wired speeds are below 80% of your plan, contact your provider for a connection check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, Spark or One NZ?
On fibre, both are equally fast because they use the same Chorus network. A 300 Mbps plan from Spark performs identically to a 300 Mbps plan from One NZ. The only speed difference is in maximum Hyperfibre tiers. Spark offers 8 Gbps while One NZ offers 4 Gbps.
Is One NZ cheaper than Spark?
Yes. One NZ Unlimited Fibre at NZD 85 per month is NZD 16 less than Spark Essential Fibre at NZD 101. One NZ Fibre Max at NZD 105 is NZD 11 less than Spark Max Fibre at NZD 116. Over a year, switching to One NZ saves NZD 132-192 on fibre alone.
Should I get Spark for the included Netflix?
It depends on whether you already pay for Netflix. Spark Essential Fibre Plus at NZD 113 includes Netflix Standard worth about NZD 18. Compared to One NZ at NZD 85 plus a separate Netflix subscription at NZD 18, you pay NZD 113 vs NZD 103. Spark is NZD 10 more but also includes McAfee Security.
Can I switch between Spark and One NZ easily?
Yes. Both providers offer no-contract fibre plans. You can cancel and sign up with the other provider at any time. The switch happens over the same Chorus fibre connection, so no new fibre installation is needed. Allow a few days for the changeover.
What about 2degrees or Skinny as alternatives?
2degrees offers the cheapest fibre at NZD 79 per month for 300 Mbps on the same Chorus network. Skinny (owned by Spark) offers NZD 90 per month. If your main priority is the lowest price, 2degrees is worth considering before Spark or One NZ.
Summary
Spark and One NZ both deliver fibre broadband over New Zealand’s Chorus network, so actual fibre speeds are identical at the same plan tier. The choice comes down to price, bundled features, and wireless alternatives.
One NZ is the value pick at NZD 85 per month for 300 Mbps fibre, saving NZD 16 per month compared to Spark. One NZ also operates the widest 5G Home Broadband network in 70+ towns, making it the stronger choice for wireless home internet.
Spark is the premium choice with Netflix Standard bundled on Plus plans, a Smart Modem included, and Hyperfibre options up to 8 Gbps. The largest retail store network in New Zealand provides accessible in-person support.
Test Spark Speed | Test One NZ Speed
Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Data Sources: Spark.co.nz, One.nz, Commerce Commission New Zealand