Telephone numbers in New Zealand

Subscriber toll dialling (STD) was introduced in the New Zealand telephone network in the mid-1970s, a result of the introduction of NEC crossbar-based toll exchanges and their ability to perform number translation. One still needed to dial 0 to make a toll call, but instead of calling the operator, one could then dial the STD number directly. Access to the operator was via 010, while other service numbers remained unchanged.

The original STD codes were numbered roughly south to north, with a few exceptions. Some of the STD codes were:

STD codes were assigned with larger areas having short STD codes (e.g. Auckland - 09), while smaller areas had longer STD codes and shorter local numbers (e.g. Shannon - 06927). The total number length, that is STD code and local number excluding the first 0, usually totalled seven digits, but could vary up to nine, as exchanges often increased the length of local numbers to accommodate new lines.

With the introduction of NEC stored program control exchanges in the New Zealand telephone network during the 1980s, and the rapid growth in demand, the breakup of the New Zealand Post Office and the creation of Telecom, local telephone numbers were standardised to seven digits. In many parts of the country, the old area code was incorporated into the new number, however in some areas the numbers changed completely.

At the same time, the opportunity was taken to move directory service from 100 to 018 and charge for directory service calls. The justification for doing so was the introduction of a directory service computer system that gave access to current New Zealand telephone number listings, not just those printed in the telephone book, and the need for a separate user pays revenue stream for Telecom Directory Services, which was separate to the 5 regional (local) telephone companies, TNI and Telecom Mobile that Telecom had split itself into, as part of the sale of Telecom and deregulation of New Zealand telecommunications services.

Since 1993, land-line telephone numbers in New Zealand consist of a single-digit area code and a seven-digit local number, of which the first three digits generally specify the exchange and the final four specify the subscriber's unique line at that exchange.

New Zealand landline phone numbers have a total of eight digits excluding the leading 0: a one-digit area code, and a seven-digit phone number (e.g. 09 700 1234), beginning with a digit between 2 and 9 (but excluding 900, 911, and 999 due to misdial guards). There are five regional area codes: 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9. These must be dialled, along with the domestic trunk prefix, when calling a recipient outside the local calling area of which the caller is located. For example, one calling Dunedin from Christchurch must dial 03, even though Christchurch is 03 as well.

The combined domestic trunk prefix[1] and area codes are:[2]

• 02 409 for Scott Base in the Ross Dependency
• 03 for the entire South Island and the Chatham Islands
• 04 for the Wellington metro area and Kapiti Coast district (excluding Otaki)
• 06 for Taranaki, Manawatū-Whanganui (excluding Taumarunui and National Park), Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, the Wairarapa, and Otaki.
• 07 for the Waikato (excluding Tuakau and Pokeno) and the Bay of Plenty
• 09 for Auckland, Northland, Tuakau and Pokeno.

The first few digits of the local number can specify the general area of the telephone numbers.[3] Note the names below are of the local calling areas.

Telephone numbers for mobile phones begin with 02, followed by seven to nine digits (usually eight). The first few digits after the 02 indicate the original mobile network that issued the number.

Telephone numbers must always be dialled in full for mobile phones. In the late 1990s however, Telecom mobile phones could dial other Telecom mobile phones without the (then) 025 prefix, making 025 act like a landline area code.

The introduction of mobile number portability on 1 April 2007 meant that an increasing number of mobiles will be operating on a different network to that which originally assigned the number. To find out whether a particular number belongs to a specific network provider, one can text the mobile number of interest to 300. It is a free service provided by 2degrees. A reply will be sent to verify whether the number is operating on their network or not. As of September 2019, this service will work for Vodafone and Spark Active.

Toll-free numbers begin with 0508 or 0800,[2] followed by usually six but sometimes seven digits. Premium rate services use the code 0900 followed by five digits (some with six digits). Local rate numbers, such as Internet access numbers, have the prefix 08xx, and are usually followed by five digits.

• 0508 Tollfree sold by many network operators (originally launched by Clear Communications as a competitor to the then Telecom only 0800 range)
• 0800 Tollfree sold by many network operators (originally only available to Telecom NZ, now known as Spark)
• 08xy Various non-geographic services
  • 083210 Call Minder answerphone service
  • 08322 Infocall numbers
  • 0867 Dial-up Internet numbers (retired)
• 0900 Premium rate services[4]

Numbers beginning with 01 are for operator services.

• 010 National Operator
• 0170 International Operator
• 0172 International Directory Service
• 018 National Directory Service

The "1" codes are used for local services, including activating exchange features. The emergency services number is "111".

• 105 Police non-emergency number.
• 111 Emergency Services Operator (all telephones; forwarded to Fire, Police or Ambulance as required).
• 112 Emergency Services Operator for GSM Mobiles (only) - not advertised.
• 11x Not allocatable. Used internally for specific emergency services.
• 12x Spark repair and sales services.
• 13–19 Various uses, mainly exchange service.

The mobile network also recognises telephone numbers starting with *, including:

• *123 Spark Mobile Sales and Service
• *200 2degrees Mobile Sales & Service
• *222 Automobile Association Roadside Service
• *500 Coastguard Marine Assistance
• *555 Traffic Safety Services (Police non-emergency traffic calls)

Text message numbers for mobile phones are 3 or 4 digits long.