Charging the mobile phone when planning a trip to New Zealand

Using Type B USB Micro cable and a Type I USB charger to recharge your mobile phone with a New Zealand power outlet.

New Zealand power outlet

Varying complicated standards and plug types can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country especially for the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of plug sockets used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power your mobile phone . This guide has been written to stop people worrying if they'll be able to charge the mobile phone when they are going abroad.If visiting New Zealand these instructions show powering the mobile phone by using their standard 230 volt 50Hz I Type New Zealand power outlet, with the New Zealanders using AS/NZS 3112 plugs for charging. If you are travelling to New Zealand from a different region please check that the mobile phone can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your mobile phone was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check the device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from overloading whilst powering it up.

This how-to guide is for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For a specific mobile phone please visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in New Zealand

Can you use any mobile phone in New Zealand?

You can use any mobile phone in New Zealand by using a power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging any mobile phone in New Zealand?

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your mobile phone then the best travel charger for New Zealand to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of mobile phone is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack multiple power adapters for your New Zealand trip or using up additional power sockets. Only bringing a single international travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and phones without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying an adaptable travel charger like this online - the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for New Zealand

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both New Zealand and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America going to New Zealand using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This gives practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting New Zealand. [5] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging any mobile phone in New Zealand?

Charging any mobile phone from a New Zealand power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge your mobile phone with a New Zealand power outlet using Type B USB Micro cable and a Type I USB charger.

  1. If you want to power your mobile phone from a New Zealand power outlet you'll need a Type I USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Insert the Type I USB power plug adapter into the New Zealand power outlet. This plug supply, technically called the Type I power outlet [2], can be identified by the 3 thin slots in a triangle pattern with a single vertical pin at the base and the top two slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and ground blades.
  3. Connect one end of the Type B USB Micro cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (please note you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone for charging with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port can normally be found either on the bottom or side of the mobile.
  5. Turn on the New Zealand power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
Charging any mobile phone from a New Zealand power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about New Zealand
  2. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  3. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  4. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  5. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..