Boost Mobile launches prepaid service in New Zealand

Boost Mobile New Zealand is launching a prepaid mobile business in New Zealand and will operate on the One NZ network.

The new entrant will trade as a mobile virtual network operator, using another carrier's infrastructure while selling its own plans and managing its own customer relationships. Its shareholders include Chief Executive Officer Jason Haynes and Boost Mobile founder Peter Adderton.

The move brings the Boost brand into the New Zealand mobile market at a time when pressure on household budgets has increased scrutiny of recurring bills, including telecommunications spending. Mobile virtual network operators have also become a more visible source of competition in several markets, offering alternatives to larger carriers.

Haynes has led the set-up of the local business. He has worked on the Boost brand in Australia's prepaid market and is now leading the New Zealand operation as an independently owned business.

Market entry

Peter Adderton, who founded Boost Mobile in Australia, said the company's purpose in New Zealand was to challenge established operators and make switching easier for consumers.

"When an industry gets comfortable, consumers generally end up paying for it. The Boost Mobile brand was born 26 years ago to challenge exactly that kind of thinking, and that's the same DNA we're building into Boost Mobile New Zealand," said Peter Adderton, Founder of Boost Mobile.

"Every day we wake up thinking about how we can give consumers a better deal, and that is exactly how Boost Mobile New Zealand will operate. We're building a business here to compete, to push the market and to make the incumbents uncomfortable. If we do that properly, Kiwi consumers win. People often just keep paying their telco because switching feels like too much trouble. We will make it easy for them," Adderton said.

The company also intends to pitch prepaid services as a way for users to keep tighter control over spending, targeting customers who want flexibility without being tied to longer-term contracts.

Haynes said the New Zealand venture was being built specifically for local customers while drawing on the wider history of the Boost brand.

"This is a brand and business built for New Zealand consumers. I've had the backing of Peter and the original Boost Mobile founders to carry that same challenger spirit into what we're building, but how we show up for Kiwis is something we're building ourselves from the ground up," said Jason Haynes, Chief Executive Officer, Boost Mobile New Zealand.

"Over the years Boost has supported many Kiwis in motorsport and action sports, including legendary Supercars driver Greg Murphy, Richie Stanaway and others. We're looking forward to deepening that support for New Zealand action sports, motorsport, music and youth culture. It's that same energy we put into how we compete: listening to consumers, fighting for value and competing hard for every customer," Haynes said.

Network support

One New Zealand is providing the network access behind the launch. For wholesale network owners, these partnerships can broaden the use of existing infrastructure while allowing retail brands to compete on pricing, service and marketing.

"We're pleased to welcome Boost Mobile New Zealand onto the One NZ network. Our focus is on giving our wholesale partners access to high-quality mobile infrastructure they can rely on, while giving them the freedom to build their own brands, products and customer experiences. Boost brings a strong proposition to the New Zealand market, and we're looking forward to supporting them with the reach, performance and reliability of the One NZ network," said Murray Osborne, General Manager Infrastructure Partners, One New Zealand.

The launch is also being supported by Advantai Group and its managed services company, Prvidr, which are working on the technical and operational side of the market entry.

"Prvidr NZ is delighted to support Boost NZ's entry into the New Zealand market. The opportunity to enable Boost NZ from both a technical and operational perspective is a real privilege. Bringing a brand of Boost NZ's calibre to market is what our people do best, and we can't wait to get started," said David Joss, Chief Executive Officer, Prvidr.

Brand history

Boost said its New Zealand business is separate from Boost Mobile Australia, despite the shared brand heritage and founder involvement. The company traces its roots to Australia in 2000, where the brand established itself in prepaid mobile and built links with motorsport and action sports.

Those ties feature in the New Zealand launch, with former racing driver Greg Murphy backing the brand's return to the market. Murphy has had a long association with Boost through motorsport sponsorship.

"Peter Adderton and the Boost Mobile brand have been a big part of my motorsport career. Peter gave me my first drive in Australia back in 1994, and that was the beginning of a very long and successful relationship. I was a Boost NZ-sponsored athlete in the early 2000s, and then reunited with the brand in 2022 for a Bathurst 1000 wildcard entry alongside Richie Stanaway," said Greg Murphy, Four-Time Bathurst 1000 Winner.

"The brand has been a huge supporter of motorsport for many years and is synonymous with sports sponsorship and giving back to those communities. It's going to be brilliant to have Boost Mobile back in New Zealand, offering its awesome products on the One NZ network!" Murphy said.

Boost Mobile New Zealand will announce its first prepaid plans, pricing and launch timing shortly.