Why a watch rather than a tracker
The advantage is simple: it stays on the wrist. A tracker in a school bag gets left in a classroom or a car, and a tracker that is elsewhere tells you nothing useful. A watch is also a phone substitute for younger children, offering calls to a short approved list, with no browser, no apps, and unrecognised numbers blocked automatically.
Check battery life against a full school day plus after-school activities, and look for a strap that suits your child's wrist. Water resistance is worth having for anything worn daily.
Related
See all GPS trackers for kids including non-watch options.
Common questions
Does it need its own SIM? Yes, a standard New Zealand SIM with a small data allowance.
Can my child call anyone? Only the numbers you approve in the app.