Personal GPS Trackers
How to choose a personal GPS tracker
What happens when the button is pressed
Check what actually happens when the SOS button is pressed. Better units call through a list of contacts in order until someone answers, rather than sending one message and stopping. Two-way calling matters as well. Being able to speak is worth far more than a location pin when something has gone wrong.
Small enough to be on you
Battery life should be measured in days rather than hours for anything carried daily, and the device needs to be small enough that it is actually on the person rather than in a bag left elsewhere. A watch solves that by staying on the wrist. A pendant or pocket unit is lighter and cheaper, and easier to leave behind.
Compare the types
 Pocket or lanyard tracker |  GPS watch |  Bluetooth wristband tag | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worn | In a pocket, on a lanyard or on a bag | On the wrist | On the wrist |
| SOS button | Yes | Yes | No |
| Calling | Two-way calling on most | Two-way voice, video on some | No |
| Needs a SIM | Yes | Yes | No |
| Suits | Lone workers, night shifts, travelling alone | Someone who wants a screen and calls on the wrist | Keys and bags, not a person |
| See | Personal trackers | GPS watches | Wristband tags |
Buying guides
GPS Tracker Buying Guide NZHow it gets power decides everything
Personal trackers for kids and elderlyJump to this section of the GPS Tracker Buying Guide
SOS: alert against calling, and the other key specsJump to this section of the GPS Tracker Buying Guide
Related
GPS Trackers GPS Trackers for Elderly GPS Trackers for Kids Kids GPS Watches
Common questions
Who gets the alert?
Contacts you set in the app, in the order you choose. Set more than one, so a call that goes unanswered moves on to the next person.
Does it work anywhere?
Anywhere with mobile coverage. It cannot report from a dead zone, so check coverage on the routes and sites it will actually be used on.
Does it need a SIM card?
The 4G units do: any New Zealand prepay SIM with a small data allowance, or one included with the unit. The app and web tracking on these units carry no subscription. Bluetooth tags have no SIM and rely on phones passing nearby.
Is it legal to track a child or a family member with a GPS tracker in New Zealand? NZ law
Yes, for a child or a dependent adult you are responsible for, with a device they know about, and for yourself. Tracking another adult without their agreement is not: from 26 May 2026 the Crimes Act 1961 treats tracking or recording a person on two or more occasions, knowing it is likely to cause fear or distress, as stalking and harassment (sections 216O to 216Q), with up to five years in prison, and the Act names tracking devices specifically. These devices are built for the wearer's own safety: the SOS button, the calling and the location go to contacts the wearer or their guardian chooses. Models with a microphone can only be used to listen to conversations you are part of (section 216B).