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 another nearby local calling area. These local calls were "free". 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 crossbar 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 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 as being 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
The long distance (toll services) prefix is '0'. The main international prefix is '00' (there are others for special purposes, such as 0161, for discounted rates).
00 International Prefix 010 National Operator 016x 017x International Operator services 018 National Directory Service
Mobile phone numbers are prefixed with 02, followed by one digit and the subscriber's number, which is either six, seven or eight digits, dialed in full, e.g. 025 xxx xxx or 027 xxx xxxx.
021 Vodafone 025 Telecom 027 Telecom 028 CallPlus 029 Vodafone/TelstraClear
There are five regional area codes, which must be used when calling outside the local dialing area, for example from Christchurch to Dunedin in the South Island, the '03' prefix must be dialed first.
024099 Scott Base in the Ross Dependency 03 the South Island and the Chatham Islands 04 Wellington Region except the Wairarapa and Otaki 06 the remaining southern and eastern North Island: - Taranaki - Manawatu-Wanganui except Taumarunui - Hawke's Bay - Gisborne - the Wairarapa and Otaki 07 the Waikato, the Bay of Plenty and Taumarunui 09 Auckland and Northland
Free call services generally use the prefix 0800 (although some use 0508) while local rate (usually 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.
Local telephone numbers are allocated in the ranges 2 to 9.
2xx - 8xx Telecom exchanges 9xx Other network operators 900 not allocated, 0900 dial guard. 911 Unallotable - may connect to Emergency Services Operator in some cases. 999 Unallotable - may connect to Emergency Services Operator in some cases.
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)
