Understanding Phone Numbers in New Zealand

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: New Zealand
• Country Code: +64
• International Prefix: 00 or 0161
• National Prefix: 0

Comprehensive Overview

This technical guide offers an in-depth look at New Zealand's telephone numbering plan, detailing number formats, dialing procedures, and telecommunications regulations. It is tailored for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators working with New Zealand's phone numbers.

Number Structure Explained

Country Code

• Country Code: +64

Area Codes and Subscriber Numbers

New Zealand employs a semi-open numbering plan featuring regional area codes. The format varies for landlines, mobiles, and special services.

Landline Numbers

• Format: 0 + Area Code (1 digit) + Subscriber Number (7 digits)
• Example: 09 123 4567

Mobile Numbers

• Format: 0 + Mobile Prefix (2 digits) + Subscriber Number (7-8 digits)
• Example: 021 123 4567

Toll-Free Numbers

• Format: 0800 + Subscriber Number (6-7 digits)
• Example: 0800 123 456

Premium Rate Numbers

• Format: 0900 + Subscriber Number (6 digits)
• Example: 0900 123 456

Number Formats and Validation

General Number Formats

Example JavaScript Validation Function

function validateNZPhoneNumber(number) {
  const patterns = [
    /^0[34679][2-9]\d{6}$/, // Landline
    /^02[0123456789]\d{6,7}$/, // Mobile
    /^0800\d{6,7}$/, // Toll-Free
    /^0900\d{6}$/ // Premium Rate
  ];

  return patterns.some((pattern) => pattern.test(number));
}

Dialing Procedures in New Zealand

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial 0 + Area Code + Subscriber Number.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial 0 + Mobile Prefix + Subscriber Number.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial 0 + Mobile Prefix + Subscriber Number.

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00 + Country Code + Area/Mobile Code + Subscriber Number.
  • Example: To call a landline in Auckland from abroad: +64 9 123 4567.
• Incoming: Dial the international format +64 followed by the local number without the leading 0.

Number Portability

New Zealand supports number portability for both mobile and fixed-line services, allowing users to keep their numbers when switching providers. This service has been available since 2007.

Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Major Telecom Operators

Regulatory Information

Regulatory Bodies

• Primary Regulatory Body: New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (NZTF)
• Telecommunications Dispute Resolution: Managed by the Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ)

ITU-T Standards

New Zealand adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard for international telephone numbering, which includes the +64 country code.

Technical Considerations

Number Allocation and Management

• Responsible Body: The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (NZTF) oversees the allocation and management of phone numbers in New Zealand.

Special Cases

• Emergency Numbers: The primary emergency number is 111.
• Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be reserved or blocked for specific services or regulatory reasons.

Developer Notes

• Validation: Ensure all phone numbers conform to the specified regex patterns.
• Portability: Implement support for number portability in systems dealing with New Zealand phone numbers.
• Internationalization: When handling international calls, ensure the correct formatting of numbers, including the +64 country code.