Welcome to nicegear.co.nz – an independent information site about VoIP, home internet and the connected technology New Zealanders use at home and at work. Our aim is simple: to explain how the gear and services work, what they cost and what to watch out for, in plain language and without a sales pitch.
We are not a retailer, a phone company or an internet provider. We do not sell hardware, plans or subscriptions. We describe facts – how a technology works, what the options are in New Zealand and what is worth knowing before you decide anything.
What we do
On nicegear.co.nz you will find guides, explainers and reviews across a set of connected topics: VoIP and calling apps, internet and Wi-Fi, smart home and security, home media and streaming, maker electronics, energy and power, and open-source software. We put particular weight on:
- Explaining technical terms in a way that someone setting up their first router or VoIP phone can follow.
- Writing for New Zealand conditions – local providers and networks, prices in New Zealand dollars and the rules that apply here.
- Describing products and services neutrally, with their drawbacks as well as their strengths, rather than telling you what you “should” buy.
- Keeping content current and checked against reliable sources.
Our principles
Everything we publish rests on three principles: it should be fact-based, independent and easy to understand.
We check details against primary sources, such as manufacturers’ documentation, providers’ published plans and terms, official project documentation and public bodies like the Commerce Commission. When something cannot be confirmed, we leave it out. Prices, plan details and software features change often, so we treat them as a snapshot at the time of writing and recommend confirming them with the provider or manufacturer before you act.
How the site is funded never decides what we write. A product or service is described the same way whoever makes or sells it, and we do not present one company more favourably than another for commercial reasons.
The editorial team
The content on nicegear.co.nz is written and reviewed by a small editorial team focused on producing informative, fact-checked material.
Rowan Whitcombe – editor and writer. Rowan is responsible for the day-to-day editorial work on the site: planning topics, writing and updating guides, and checking specifications, prices and claims against primary sources before anything is published. Rowan also handles corrections, so if you report an error, it ends up on Rowan’s desk.
How we use AI
Parts of our content are produced with the help of AI tools (including Claude from Anthropic, claude.ai) as support for research and drafting. All material is reviewed, fact-checked and edited by our editorial team before it is published. Responsibility for what we publish always rests with us. You can read more in our AI policy.
Contact
Have you found an error or an out-of-date detail, or do you have a question about something we have written? Get in touch with the editorial team through our contact page and we will look into it. We value feedback that helps us keep the site accurate and useful.
Gamble responsibly
A small part of nicegear.co.nz touches on online gaming, including sportsbooks and online casinos. In that area we provide information only. We do not sell games, accept bets or stakes, encourage anyone to gamble or give gambling advice – we describe facts.
Gambling for money always carries risk and can lead to gambling harm. In New Zealand you must be 20 to enter a casino, and 18 for most other forms of gambling, such as betting with the TAB, pokies in pubs and clubs, and Instant Kiwi. Only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose.
Do you need support, or want to limit your gambling?
- The Gambling Helpline offers free, confidential help around the clock on 0800 654 655, by text on 8006, or at gamblinghelpline.co.nz.
- PGF Services (the Problem Gambling Foundation) provides free counselling across the country – pgf.nz.
- Gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
You will find more detail on our responsible gambling page.
Read also our privacy policy, cookie policy and terms of use.