Mobile Phone Coverage New Zealand South Island

I would like to make sure I can use a mobile phone between Wanaka and
Greymouth along State Highway 6 on the South Island of New Zealand.
Which service provider has the best coverage? Vodafone does not seem to
have any coverage along this route. I am prepared to rent a local
mobile phone but I don't know which service provider to choose. Thanks.

In article <42f5429a$0$28996$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au> , A Mate
<maybe@Australia.com.au> writes
>There are only 2 carriers. Vodafone provide a gsm service; Telecom NZ a CDMA
>service. Their coverage is similar, though not identical. For technical
>reasons (it's an analogue system), CDMA usually gives better service in
>areas of weak signal strength!!

I rented a mobile from Vodafone while I was in NZ because they promised
97% coverage. Then they gave me a map of their coverage and they meant
97% of the _population_. Their coverage area leaves most of the South
Island empty except near population centres. So, the answer to your
question is no.

Incidentally telecom is the only service to work on Stewart Island.

--
JohnM