China seniors hop to mobile

Zulan Wan accepts a free mobile phone from 2Degrees' Eric Hertz. Photo / Supplied

Twenty Chinese residents of an Auckland rest home received a Chinese New Year gift from mobile phone company 2degrees last week.

2degrees chief executive Eric Hertz visited the Tiverton Rest Home in Blockhouse Bay to give the senior citizens their own cellphones, plus a $10 calling package.

Hertz said the Chinese community was important to the company.

He also referred to 2degrees' close relationship with Chinese technology giant Huawei, which supplies the Kiwi mobile market new entrant with network technology and some handsets.

"It is with Huawei's telecommunications skills that Chinese New Zealanders can talk to their family members and friends in China," he said.

Hertz said the Blockhouse Bay visit was a chance to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit and honour the Chinese tradition of respect for their elders.

The company's head of acquisitions and communications, Malcolm Phillipps, said New Zealand's different ethnic groups were a relatively untapped market and 2degrees also talked to the Indian, Korean and Pacifica communities.

"It's really just a slightly different approach. It's about being relevant to different markets.

"We've seen an increase in response as a result of our activity."

To mark Chinese New Year the mobile operator was offering 240 minutes calling to China for $10 until February 18.

As Hertz showed her how to put the SIM card into her new phone, Zulan Wan said she had always thought mobiles were "young people's toys. I didn't realise that I am able to use cellphone at the age of 80."