NOW NZ Speed Test - Check Fibre Speed
Test your NOW NZ internet speed in New Zealand
www.nownz.co.nzNOW NZ is an award-winning New Zealand broadband provider founded in Hawke's Bay in 2002. The company offers fibre plans from NZD 75 per month with speeds up to 900 Mbps. NOW has won multiple New Zealand broadband provider of the year awards for customer service excellence. Test your NOW NZ connection to measure download, upload, and latency performance.
About NOW NZ
NOW NZ started in 2002 as a small rural wireless internet provider in Hawke's Bay, founded by Hamish White. The company became NOW in 2012 and has expanded to serve residential and business customers nationally from offices in Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Rotorua, and Tauranga. NOW NZ Limited generates approximately NZD 17.7 million in annual revenue.
The company has earned multiple awards as New Zealand's best broadband provider, recognizing its commitment to customer service and fair pricing.
NOW NZ Plans and Services
NOW NZ offers several internet plans across different technologies and price points.
NOW NZ fibre plans include a 125 GB capped plan at NZD 75 per month with 300/100 Mbps speed. The Unlimited plan at NZD 85 delivers 300/100 Mbps with unlimited data. The Ultra Unlimited plan at NZD 100 provides 900/400 Mbps.
NOW offers naked broadband by default with optional landline add-on at NZD 5 per month. No setup fee applies for addresses with existing fibre connections. Extras like caller ID, voicemail, and call divert are available for landline users.
NOW NZ Internet Plans
| Plan | Speed | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre 125GB fiber | 300 Mbps | NZD 75/month |
|
| Fibre Unlimited fiber | 300 Mbps | NZD 85/month |
|
| Ultra Unlimited fiber | 900 Mbps | NZD 100/month |
|
| Landline Add-on fiber | N/A | NZD 5/month |
|
Prices and availability may vary by location. Contact NOW NZ for current offers.
NOW NZ Coverage by Region
NOW NZ performance varies by location. Coverage density, local infrastructure, and network congestion affect speeds in each market.
Hawke's Bay (Napier, Hastings)
NOW NZ headquarters region with the strongest local support
Wellington
NOW has office presence in Wellington
Canterbury (Christchurch)
NOW NZ call centre located in Christchurch
Auckland
Supported remotely from Hawke's Bay and Christchurch offices
Is NOW NZ Right for You?
Every provider has trade-offs. Here is how NOW NZ performs based on real-world usage and customer feedback.
Strengths
- Multiple award winner for best broadband provider and customer support in NZ
- Only broadband provider to earn 5-star Canstar Blue rating for overall satisfaction
- Locally owned and operated from Hawke's Bay and Christchurch
- No contract required on fibre plans with existing connections
- No setup fee for premises with existing fibre
- Naked broadband by default, saving the cost of a landline
- Personal customer service from NZ-based call centers
Weaknesses
- Maximum speed limited to 900 Mbps with no Hyperfibre options
- Smaller company with approximately 30,000 subscribers
- 125 GB data cap on the cheapest plan at NZD 75
- No mobile services for bundled discounts
- Higher base price at NZD 85 than 2degrees at NZD 79 for similar speeds
Best For
- Customers who value award-winning customer support above all
- Users in Hawke's Bay wanting a local provider with local support
- Small businesses needing reliable service with dedicated support
- People who dislike dealing with large corporate call centers
- Households wanting straightforward pricing without extras
Not Ideal For
- Power users wanting Hyperfibre speeds above 900 Mbps
- Customers looking for the cheapest broadband price
- Users wanting bundled mobile and broadband from one provider
- Heavy users needing unlimited data at the lowest possible cost
How NOW NZ Compares
Side-by-side comparison of NOW NZ against major competitors in New Zealand.
| Competitor | Speed | Price | Coverage | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | NOW maxes at 900 Mbps. Spark offers Hyperfibre up to 8 Gbps. Both use the same Chorus network. | NOW Unlimited 300 Mbps costs NZD 85. Spark Essential Fibre 300 Mbps costs NZD 101. NOW is NZD 16 cheaper. | Both use the Chorus fibre network. NOW is available wherever Chorus fibre exists nationally. | Choose NOW for superior customer support and lower prices. Choose Spark for Netflix bundles and Hyperfibre. |
| 2degrees | NOW tops at 900 Mbps. 2degrees offers Hyperfibre up to 4 Gbps. Both on Chorus network. | NOW Unlimited 300 Mbps costs NZD 85. 2degrees Unlimited Fibre 300 Mbps costs NZD 79. 2degrees saves NZD 6. | Both use Chorus fibre nationally. 2degrees also offers wireless broadband in non-fibre areas. | Choose NOW for best-in-class customer service. Choose 2degrees for cheaper pricing and Hyperfibre options. |
Troubleshooting NOW NZ Issues
Common NOW NZ connection problems and how to fix them.
NOW NZ fibre speeds are below the subscribed plan
Cause: Wi-Fi conditions, router quality, or device limitations can reduce actual speeds.
- Test speed via ethernet cable connected directly to the router
- Restart the router by unplugging for 30 seconds
- Reduce the number of active devices during the test
- Call NOW NZ support team in Hawke's Bay for personalized troubleshooting
Cannot access NOW NZ customer portal or manage account
Cause: Browser cache issues or forgotten credentials can block access.
- Clear browser cache and cookies, then try again
- Use the password reset function on the NOW NZ website
- Try a different browser or device
- Call NOW NZ customer support for account access assistance
Internet connection drops intermittently
Cause: Chorus network maintenance or home wiring issues can cause disconnections.
- Restart the router and wait two minutes
- Check NOW NZ service status for Chorus outages in your area
- Verify all cable connections are secure
- Contact NOW NZ support, who will coordinate with Chorus
NOW NZ History
Key milestones in NOW NZ development and network expansion.
Founded in Hawke's Bay as a small rural wireless internet provider by Hamish White
Rebrands to NOW and expands services beyond Hawke's Bay
Begins offering nationwide fibre broadband over the Chorus network
Wins NZ Compare Awards for Broadband Provider of the Year
Earns five out of six awards at Canstar Blue, including 5-star Overall Satisfaction
Expands to offices in Napier, Christchurch, with team of approximately 85 staff
Generates approximately NZD 17.7 million in annual revenue serving 30,000+ customers
Test Your NOW NZ Speed
Run a free speed test to check if NOW NZ delivers the speeds you are paying for. Test during peak evening hours for the most realistic results. Compare your results against NOW NZ advertised speeds above.
NOW NZ Speed Test FAQ
How fast is NOW NZ fibre broadband?
NOW NZ fibre delivers up to 300/100 Mbps on standard plans and 900/400 Mbps on the Ultra Unlimited plan. All fibre runs on the Chorus network, providing the same underlying infrastructure quality as larger providers. Actual speeds depend on your plan tier, router quality, and number of connected devices. From June 2025, Chorus upgraded the standard wholesale tier. Connect via ethernet cable for maximum speed measurement.
Is NOW NZ a good broadband provider?
NOW NZ has won multiple New Zealand broadband provider awards for customer service excellence. The company is locally owned and founded in Hawke's Bay, not backed by large corporate telecom groups. NOW focuses on straightforward pricing and responsive customer support. With national offices in Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Rotorua, and Tauranga, NOW provides personal service that larger providers often lack. Customer reviews consistently rate NOW highly for support quality.
How do I test my NOW NZ speed?
Use the speed test on this page to measure your NOW NZ fibre download speed, upload speed, and ping latency. For accurate results, connect directly to your router using an ethernet cable. WiFi speeds are typically lower due to signal interference. Close all background applications and pause downloads before testing. The test takes approximately 30 seconds. Compare results with your plan speed of 300 Mbps or 900 Mbps.
Does NOW NZ require a contract?
NOW NZ fibre broadband plans do not require a long-term contract for addresses with existing fibre connections. You can cancel with standard notice without incurring early termination fees. No setup fee applies for premises already connected to fibre. NOW provides naked broadband by default, meaning you do not need a landline unless you choose the optional NZD 5 per month add-on. This flexibility makes it easy to try NOW NZ without long-term commitment.