New Zealand telephone numbering plan
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The New Zealand telephone numbering plan describes the allocation of telephone numbers in New Zealand.
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[edit] History
Up until the 1970's, New Zealand's telephone network consisted primarily of step by step telephone exchanges. Local telephone number lengths varied from 3 to 6 digits depending on the size of exchange and population of the local calling area. Numerous complex dialling instructions appeared in the front of telephone books explaining the number sequences needed to dial subscribers in local "free calling" areas, and in a few cases for short distance toll calls (which were recorded on manually read meters in some local exchanges). Local calls were "free", and still are for residential customers. Long distance or toll calls required the manual intervention of an operator, who had access to toll circuits, either via an operator's cord board or a toll exchange (switch). Access to the toll operator was by dialling 0.
Local directory service could be accessed via 100, telephone faults via 120, and emergency services via 111.
Subscriber Toll Dialling (STD) was introduced into New Zealand telephone network in the mid 1970's, 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.
With the introduction of NEC Stored Program Control exchanges in to the New Zealand telephone network during the 1980's, and the rapid growth in demand, the breakup of the New Zealand Post Office and the creation of Telecom New Zealand, the opportunity arose to standardise local telephone numbers at 7 digits long. In many parts of the country, the old area code was incorporated into the new number, hence Nelson (054) xx xxx became (03) 54x xxxx. Or New Plymouth (067) became (06) 75x xxxx - old numbers mostly 5 digit, or 1 series of 6 digit at the Spotswood Exchange of 51x xxx.
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 seven-digit local numbers, the first three of which generally specify the exchange and the final four a line at that exchange.
[edit] International Number Lengths
Country code : +64
The long distance prefix, 0, that is prepended to national numbers is not part of the international number.
Minimum number length after International prefix : 3 digits (Most numbers, other than service numbers, are at least 8 digits.)
Maximum number length after International prefix : 9 digits (Except numbers starting 210 - 10 digits)
[edit] Numbering plan
Country Code: 64
Long Distance Prefix: 0
International Prefix: 00
[edit] Landlines
New Zealand landline phone numbers consist of 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 excuding 900, 911, and 999 due to misdial guards). There are five regional area codes, which must be dialed when calling landlines outside the local calling area. For example for all of the South Island including Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin, the '03' prefix must be dialed first.
The area codes are:
- 024099 for the Scott Base in the Ross Dependency
- 03 for the South Island and the Chatham Islands
- 04 for the Wellington Region to Kapiti, but not the Wairarapa and Otaki
- 06 for the remaining southern and eastern North Island including Taranaki, Manawatu-Wanganui (excluding Taumarunui), Hawke's Bay,Gisborne, the Wairarapa, and Otaki
- 07 for the Waikato, the Bay of Plenty and Taumarunui
- 09 for Auckland and Northland
[edit] Mobile Phones
Mobile phone numbers begin with 02, followed by one digit, indicating the phone company, and the subscriber's number of 6 to 8 digits in length. Moblie numbers must be dialed in full, even between phones of the same phone company.
There are four area codes for mobile phones:
- 021 for Vodafone
- 027 for Telecom
- 028 for CallPlus
- 029 for TelstraClear and Vodafone
[edit] Other Numbers
Numbers beginning with 01 are for operator services.
010 National Operator 016x 017x International Operator services 018 National Directory Service
Free call services generally use the prefix 0800 or 0508, usually followed by six digits. Local rate numbers, such as internet access numbers, have the prefix 08xx. Premium rate services use the code 0900 followed by five digits.
0508 TelstraClear Tollfree 0800 Telecom, TelstraClear and other network operators Tollfree 08xy Various non-geographic services 0900 Premium rate services
The '1' codes are used for local services, including activating exchange features. The emergency services number is '111'.
10x Not used. (Previously 100 was directory service.) 111 Emergency Services Operator (all telephones) 112 Emergency Services Operator for GSM Mobiles (only) 11x Not allotable. Used internally for specific emergency services. 12x Network operator repair and sales services. 13 - 19 Various uses, mainly exchange service.
The mobile network also recognises telephone numbers starting with *, including:
*123 Telecom Mobile Sales and Service *222 Automobile Association Roadside Service *500 (Auckland) Volunteer Coastguard Maritime Rescue *555 Traffic Safety Services (Police non-emergency traffic calls)
[edit] Other useful numbers
07 832 0000 automated information (free call) who your toll provider is.
