Close on the heels of Apple’s recent reassurance to customers that it will be able to fill the demand of the popular iPad soon, New Zealand’s ISP-turned-mobile operator Orcon has become the first telecommunications company in the country to sell the Apple tablet. The device, which was launched in New Zealand on July 23, has thus far been available only through Apple resellers.

With Orcon commencing the process of taking orders for the iPad from 1pm today, a company spokesman told NBR that the shipping of the devices – the Wi-Fi + 3G versions of the tablet - will take place within 24 hours after the placing of the order.

Orcon, which will be currently be selling the Wi-Fi + 3G models of the iPad, will retail the device for $1179 for the 32GB version; and $1349 for the 64GB version. The Orcon prices for the iPad are at par with the prices being offered on Apple’s online store.

Data plans from Orcon will start at $19.95 a month for 500MB of mobile data; and will feature a $69.95-per-month plan for 4GB mobile data.

The iPads retailed by Orcon are bought from Apple’s online store, and then passed on at cost to the customers of the telcom company, which apparently makes up its end on the data charges.

Meanwhile, since Vodafone is Apple’s official carrier in New Zealand, all iPads sold either through the Apple website or though official Apple retailers come with a Vodafone Micro-SIM card inside.