Starlink Plans NZ: Your 2026 Guide to Speed, Price & Coverage

Starlink plans in New Zealand are broken down into three main flavours: Standard (Residential), Priority (Business), and Mobile (Roam/Maritime). Each one is built to deliver reliable, high-speed internet, especially in places where traditional fibre and cellular just don't reach. Think of them as targeted solutions for your home, your business, or your life on the move.

Your Guide to Starlink Plans in New Zealand

For so many Kiwis, from a farm out on the Canterbury Plains to a new construction site in the Waikato, getting a decent internet connection has been a constant headache. The usual broadband options often struggle to deliver in rural and remote spots, which can be a massive drag on productivity and staying connected. Starlink cuts right through that problem, using its massive network of low-Earth orbit satellites to bring fast satellite internet NZ wide, to virtually any corner of the country.

So, which of the Starlink plans NZ offers is the right fit for you? It really just comes down to what you need it for. Are you trying to get a stable connection for the family home, a rock-solid link for your business, or are you after connectivity for a vehicle or boat? There's a perfect match for every scenario.

This quick flowchart can help you figure out which path to take based on how you’ll be using it.

As you can see, the decision tree makes it pretty simple, splitting the options between fixed use at home, performance-hungry business needs, and mobile setups.

Matching a Plan to Your Needs

Nailing the right plan from the get-go is key to getting the best performance without overspending. A family in a remote spot just needs reliable streaming and browsing, but a business can't function without guaranteed bandwidth for things like critical data transfers and clear VoIP calls.

Here’s a quick rundown:

• Standard (Residential): This is the go-to for rural households that need dependable internet for daily life—think streaming Netflix, online learning for the kids, and working from home. It comes with unlimited standard data, making it a simple, set-and-forget solution for a fixed location.

• Priority (Business): Built specifically for commercial use, this plan gives your traffic priority on the network. That means you get consistently high speeds, even when everyone else is online. It’s a MUST-HAVE for businesses relying on cloud apps, video conferencing, or shifting large files. When weighing up your options, it’s always a good idea to consider the key factors for choosing a business ISP to make sure Starlink ticks all the right boxes for your operation.

• Mobile (Roam/Maritime): This is your ticket to connectivity on the move. Whether you’re in a campervan exploring the South Island or on a boat out in the Hauraki Gulf, the Mobile plan gives you an internet connection wherever you’ve got a clear view of the sky.

The appetite for this kind of tech is huge here. New Zealand actually has the highest number of satellite connections per person in the entire OECD, with Starlink well out in front. It’s forecast that Oceania's subscriber base will shoot up to 449,000 by December 2025—that's a jump of over 50% from late 2024, and it’s being driven largely by demand from rural and remote Kiwis.

For a deeper dive, check out our complete guide to satellite internet in New Zealand.

A Deeper Look At Starlink Plan Features And Pricing

Getting your head around the different Starlink plans in NZ is the first step, but the real value is hiding in the details. Each plan has been put together for a specific type of user – from a family needing solid streaming out in the wop-wops to a commercial fishing boat that needs a constant link out at sea.

Let's break down what you actually get with each option, including the features, the costs, and the all-important differences in data.

Standard Plan For Homes And Small Businesses

The Standard plan is the go-to for most Kiwis in fixed spots like homes and small rural businesses. It’s built for all the usual internet stuff: streaming movies, online school, video calls with family, and running a small business's website and email. Simple as that.

For a family out in the country, this means the movie night doesn't grind to a halt with buffering, and the parent-teacher video call doesn't drop out. For a small rural business, it’s the stable connection you need for EFTPOS, cloud accounting software, and just keeping your online shopfront running smoothly.

This plan comes with unlimited standard data, so you can stop worrying about hitting a data cap with your day-to-day use. It’s a straightforward and powerful fix for the internet black spots that traditional providers just can't seem to reach. The upfront hardware cost gets you the standard motorised dish, which is designed to be set up and left in one place.

Priority Plan For Demanding Business Operations

When your business ABSOLUTELY depends on a rock-solid connection, the Priority plan is a must-have. This one’s for the heavy hitters—think construction firms on remote sites, large agricultural operations, and logistics companies where a slowdown costs serious money. The key difference here is prioritised data, which basically puts your traffic in the express lane on the Starlink network.

This gives you consistently faster speeds and lower lag, even when everyone else is online. For a construction site with multiple people needing access, this priority connection is crucial for uploading massive architectural files, running project management tools, and keeping the comms clear with head office.

Priority plans are tiered, letting you choose from data packs like 1TB, 2TB, or 6TB per month. If you burn through that, you can either buy more priority data or just keep using the unlimited standard data, though it might be a bit slower during peak hours. The hardware is usually the same standard dish unless the commercial environment calls for something more heavy-duty.

Mobile Plans For Connectivity On The Move

For anyone who doesn't sit still, the Mobile plans are a game-changer. They're split into two main flavours, depending on how far you're roaming.

• Mobile Regional: This is your perfect companion for land-based travel within New Zealand. It's spot-on for 4WD adventurers, roading contractors moving between jobs, or anyone with a campervan who wants to stay connected while exploring the back country. A huge plus is that you can pause and un-pause the service month by month, making it super flexible and easy on the wallet.

• Mobile Global/Maritime: This is the one you need for boats and anyone travelling internationally. It delivers a connection in coastal waters and right out on the open ocean, making it an essential tool for maritime operators needing weather data, navigation charts, and crew comms. This plan requires the high-performance flat dish—it costs more, but it’s built to handle in-motion use and survive the harsh marine environment. Our overview of the Starlink Kit in NZ dives into the hardware differences if you want the full story.

It's really important to get this right: using a standard dish on a Mobile plan while you're moving is NOT supported. It can lead to a patchy connection and could even void your warranty. Always match your plan and your gear to how you're going to use it. For a truly reliable setup in a vehicle or on a vessel, getting professional advice and installation is the way to go.

Real World Starlink Performance and Reliability in NZ

While the various Starlink plans NZ offers look good on paper, what really matters is how the service holds up in the field. Across New Zealand's diverse and often challenging terrain, Starlink is consistently delivering results that leave traditional rural internet options in the dust.

In the real world, users can realistically expect download speeds that often push past 100 Mbps, with uploads sitting comfortably between 10 and 30 Mbps. For many rural businesses and homes, those numbers alone are a massive leap forward. But the true game-changer isn't just speed; it's the low latency.

Why Low Latency Is a Big Deal

Latency is simply the time it takes for a signal to travel from your computer to a server and back again. Old-school satellite internet is infamous for its painfully high latency—often over 600ms—because its satellites orbit way up in geostationary orbit, a huge distance from Earth.

Think of it like trying to have a conversation with someone on the other side of a rugby field. You have to shout, and there’s a noticeable delay before you hear their reply. That lag makes real-time activities like video calls or using cloud software incredibly frustrating.

Starlink's satellites, on the other hand, are in a low-Earth orbit (LEO), flying much, much closer to us. This is more like talking to someone just a few metres away. The response is almost instant, with latency typically hovering between a snappy 20-40ms.

This ultra-low latency is what makes Starlink feel so responsive, almost like a fibre connection. It’s the secret ingredient that finally makes seamless video conferencing, responsive cloud-based software, and even online gaming possible for people who were previously stuck in the digital slow lane.

Built for New Zealand's Tough Conditions

Starlink's reliability is another crucial factor, especially for businesses operating in demanding environments. The system maintains a near-constant connection thanks to its massive network of LEO satellites. As one satellite flies out of view, another is already in position to take its place, ensuring you stay online without a hitch.

This design makes the service incredibly resilient, holding up well even in the heavy rain and strong winds we’re all too familiar with across New Zealand.

• For Emergency Response: When every second counts, an uninterrupted link is VITAL for coordinating missions, getting live updates, and keeping teams safe.
• For Forestry Operations: Reliable internet is key for real-time safety alerts, tracking heavy machinery with GPS, and maintaining communication across vast, isolated sites.
• For Maritime Operators: A stable connection offshore is NON-NEGOTIABLE for accessing up-to-date weather charts, communicating with shore, and ensuring crew welfare in rough seas.

Since its New Zealand launch on 11 March, 2021, Starlink has become an essential tool for the industries that form our country's backbone. It has now achieved nationwide coverage, connecting everything from farms on the Volcanic Plateau to construction sites in the Eastern Waikato. It delivers the kind of performance needed for high-definition video calls and real-time cloud applications, which you can read more about in the official government submissions from its early days.

This level of performance proves that Starlink isn't just "internet for the bach." It's a genuine BUSINESS-GRADE solution, robust enough to handle the most demanding commercial and industrial environments New Zealand can throw at it.

How To Install And Integrate Starlink For Your Business

So, you’ve picked out the right Starlink plan for your business here in NZ. That’s the first hurdle cleared. Now, it’s time to get your system up and running, and while it might look like a plug-and-play setup, a professional approach to installation is where you’ll unlock its real value, especially in a commercial setting.

Getting started is easy enough. You just head over to the official Starlink website, pop in your business address, and confirm they can service your location. You’ll handle the whole order online, finalising your plan and buying the hardware kit. But once that box arrives on your doorstep, the real work begins.

Why Professional Installation Is A Must

Sure, the idea of a DIY setup might be tempting, but it is STRONGLY advised against for any business, vehicle, or marine application. To get the best performance and ensure everything is safe, you really need an expert touch from a specialist communications provider.

A professional installer does a lot more than just plug in a cable. They start with a full site assessment to make sure the dish has a completely clear, unobstructed view of the sky. No trees, no buildings, no sneaky structures getting in the way. This step is absolutely critical. Even a small obstruction can cause frequent signal dropouts, which completely defeats the purpose of having a reliable connection for your business.

When it comes to mobile setups, the mounting hardware is just as important. A standard mount simply won’t hold up on a construction vehicle bouncing around a site or a boat crashing through choppy seas.

• Vehicle Mounts: We use ruggedised solutions like RAM Mounts, which are built to handle serious vibrations and shocks. This keeps the dish secure and stable on your trucks, utes, or heavy machinery.
• Marine Mounts: For boats, you need marine-grade mounts. These are made from materials like those from Pacific Aerials that resist corrosion from salt spray, ensuring they last and perform in the harsh marine environment we have around New Zealand.

A professional install isn't just about getting a better signal; it's about safety and doing the job right. Experts will make sure all your cabling is properly routed and weatherproofed, and that the entire setup meets all the relevant workplace health and safety standards. It’s about protecting your investment and your people.

Moving Beyond Installation To Full System Integration

The real magic happens when Starlink isn't just an internet connection but is seamlessly woven into your existing business systems. This is where a specialist communications provider can turn a simple dish into a powerful operational tool. An expert can properly connect your Starlink service to your entire technology ecosystem.

Just think about the possibilities:

• Crystal-Clear VoIP: Link your Starlink to the office VoIP phone system for high-quality, dependable calls from any remote site.
• Boosted Signal Coverage: Extend the signal across a massive worksite or rural property with powerful Cel-Fi boosters, making sure every corner has a strong, stable connection.
• Reliable Security Feeds: Connect your Viewtech or Dahua security cameras to the network for uninterrupted, high-definition surveillance of your assets, no matter where they are.

This integrated approach means you’re not just getting fast internet; you’re building a complete communications backbone for your operation. Working with an expert partner takes you beyond a simple install and delivers a comprehensive solution designed to boost productivity, safety, and efficiency across the board.

For a deeper dive into what a professional job entails, check out our complete guide on professional Starlink installation. A specialist ensures every piece of your comms setup, from two way radios to your main internet link, works together perfectly.

Integrating Starlink With Your Wider Communication Systems

Starlink provides a phenomenal internet backbone, but for many New Zealand businesses, it's really just one piece of a much larger communications puzzle. A truly bulletproof system never relies on a single technology; instead, it smartly blends multiple tools to make sure you’re never out of touch, no matter what. This is where professional integration from a specialist in mobile systems turns a great internet connection into a powerful operational asset.

Think of Starlink as the main highway for your data. Once that highway is built, you still need effective on-ramps and off-ramps to connect your team and equipment. It provides the essential backhaul for a robust on-site Wi-Fi network, creating a solid bubble of connectivity at any remote worksite, farm, or marine vessel.

Unifying Your On-Site Communications

Once your local Wi-Fi network is humming along with Starlink, a whole world of possibilities opens up. Suddenly, your team can use Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) radios from top brands like Hytera or Motorola anywhere on site, even if there’s zero mobile coverage for miles. These devices simply use the Starlink-fed Wi-Fi to deliver instant, clear, and secure group communications, basically mimicking a traditional UHF radio network but with far greater flexibility.

This kind of setup is perfect for:

• Construction Sites: Keeping project managers, machine operators, and safety officers linked up across a large, developing area.
• Agricultural Operations: Making sure teams spread across vast paddocks or multiple farm buildings can coordinate seamlessly during harvest or planting.
• Remote Tourism Lodges: Giving staff reliable comms tools for guest services and day-to-day operational management.

Expanding The Safety Net With Direct to Cell Technology

Another massive development is Starlink's Direct to Cell service, which adds a VITAL layer of safety for lone workers or teams operating in mobile blackspots. This tech allows standard smartphones to send and receive text messages via satellite, completely bypassing the need for traditional cell towers.

Here in New Zealand, One NZ's partnership with Starlink has already been a game-changer for hundreds of thousands of customers in our most remote corners. In its first year alone, users sent over 7 million text messages from areas that were previously dead zones, covering about 40% of NZ's landmass. This has been a huge plus for people in emergency response, farming, and maritime sectors. You can read more about the impact of One NZ's Starlink-powered satellite texting service.

Creating A Multi-Layered Communications Strategy

For sectors where safety and operational continuity are everything—think emergency response or forestry—relying on a single communication method is just too risky. The most robust strategies involve a carefully planned mix of technologies, each with its own specific job to do.

A truly effective communications plan ensures you have the right tool for every scenario. Starlink provides the high-bandwidth link, while VHF/UHF radios offer instant local comms, and a satellite phone guarantees a connection when all else fails.

A comprehensive solution, all managed by a single expert provider, could look something like this:

• Starlink: For primary internet access, data transfer, and Wi-Fi calling.
• VHF/UHF Radios: From trusted brands like Tait and GME for reliable, device-to-device communication that is completely independent of any network.
• Satellite Phones: Like those from Iridium, offering a guaranteed voice and text link from literally anywhere on the planet.
• Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs): Essential safety gear from McMurdo or Oceansignal for distress signalling in life-threatening situations.

By bringing these elements together, you build a communications ecosystem that is layered, redundant, and perfectly suited to the unique challenges of operating in New Zealand.

Got Questions About Starlink in NZ? We've Got Answers

Jumping into new technology always brings up a few questions. We get it. Here are some of the most common queries we hear about using Starlink here in New Zealand, especially for business and professional applications on the move.

Can I Just Use The Standard Starlink Residential Plan On My Boat Or Campervan?

It might be tempting to try, but using a standard Residential plan for a moving vehicle or boat is a bad idea. Starlink’s terms of service are crystal clear: you need a 'Mobile' plan (that's either Roam or Maritime) for any kind of in-motion use.

The hardware is the other big piece of the puzzle. The standard dish simply isn't built to handle the constant movement of a vehicle bouncing along a worksite or a vessel rocking on the waves. You'll get an unreliable signal, and you could even void your warranty.

For reliable connectivity out in New Zealand's challenging marine environments or across rugged terrain, you absolutely MUST use the proper in-motion rated hardware with the right Mobile plan. A specialist in mobile systems can make sure you're kitted out correctly from the start.

How Does Starlink Handle Heavy New Zealand Rain Or Snow?

The Starlink gear is built tough enough for proper Kiwi weather. The dish is highly weather-resistant and even has a slick built-in heater that automatically melts snow and ice. That's a massive plus for sites up on the Central Plateau or deep in the South Island during winter.

During a typical downpour, most people don't notice any disruption at all. It's only in seriously severe weather—think cyclones or once-in-a-blue-moon storms—that you might see a brief, temporary drop in signal from something called 'rain fade'. But when you compare it to older satellite tech, its performance is worlds apart, making it a solid choice for critical operations anywhere from the wild West Coast to the windiest hilltop.

Do I Need A Special Licence To Run Starlink In New Zealand?

For the vast majority of people, the answer is a simple NO. If you're using Starlink for your home, business, or a land-based vehicle, you don't need any special user licences. The hardware is all pre-approved for use in NZ right out of the box.

It can get a little different for maritime installations, though. Depending on the class of your commercial vessel and what other comms gear you have onboard (like a VHF marine radio), you might need to navigate specific radio licensing rules managed by Radio Spectrum Management (RSM).

An expert in marine communications can give you clear guidance here, ensuring your entire setup—from satellite to radio—is fully compliant and works together seamlessly.

Ready to build a complete, reliable communication solution for your operation? The team at Mobile Systems Limited are experts in integrating Starlink with two-way radios, cellular boosters, and professional-grade hardware for any environment on land or sea. Contact us today to discuss your project.