Vodafone to sell iPhone 4 on contracts from midday [update: confirmed], Apple online from “this evening”

Let the queuing begin!

We have had multiple reports that Vodafone will be selling the iPhone 4 in most stores from 12 midday today. The catch? It’s only for customers signing a new contract or resigning. We have also had reports that Apple’s CSRs have been citing 7pm tonight as the launch of the iPhone 4 for outright purchases via the Apple NZ store.

To try help co-ordinate our readers to have their best possible chance at getting an iPhone 4 from Vodafone today, we are compiling the below list of stores we believe to have stock available for contract-only sales from midday today.

Vodafone have just revised their website to state that all retail stores should have stock – although we have only been able to confirm/deny the following. You can access the stores that should theoretically have stock by using the “iPhone 4 “filter on this page: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/help/store-locations/#iphone4

The following stores will have stock, although limited:

• Vodafone Lambton Quay, Wellington (from iamwaiting)
• Vodafone Chartwell, Hamilton (from psychrn)
• Vodafone Wall St, Dunedin (from UrbanGrafix)
• Vodafone Sylvia Park, Auckland (from SmurFy)
• MagnumMac, Christchurch (from Live Chat user) – awaiting Vodafone approval
• Vodafone Riccarton, Christchurch (from Kamisaka)

The following stores have been reported as not having stock for 12pm today:

• Vodafone Queen St, Auckland (from Live chat user)

These are by no means official reports but this may provide a good idea as to where you should line up. We will be updating this list constantly as we get more information.

Apple have also been quoted CSRs have apparently been telling people that the iPhone 4 will be available for online purchase from Apple.co.nz starting 7pm tonight. Vodafone, on the other hand, say that online purchases of the iPhone 4 from them will start in the “coming weeks” – perhaps due to stock shortages.

UPDATE – We have received an email from Apple PR stating “We are thrilled to be selling iPhone 4 in our Apple Online Store starting this evening.” 7pm unconfirmed at this stage but definitely happening today.

How can you help? Ring up your local Vodafone or Vodafone reseller and find out if they can sell the iPhone 4 from 12pm midday today, and let us know in the comments below!