New Zealand Phone Number Format: A Complete Guide

When dialing within New Zealand, landline numbers include an area code and a subscriber number, while mobile numbers start with the mobile prefix followed by the subscriber number.

To call a New Zealand number from outside New Zealand, the structure includes the International Access Code of the caller's country, the New Zealand country code, the area code or mobile prefix without a leading zero, and the subscriber number.

1. IAC: International Access Code or exit code is the number you dial first when making an international call from your country. It signals your phone network that you are calling outside your country.

   For example, if you are calling New Zealand from Australia, you need to dial Australia’s IAC, which is 0011, before entering the rest of the number. On mobile phones, you can simply use the “+” sign, and it will automatically work as the IAC.

2. Country Code or International Subscriber Dialing (ISD) code: New Zealand’s country code is 64. This must be dialed after the IAC when calling New Zealand from overseas.

3. Area Code: Area codes represent specific regions within the country. New Zealand area codes consist of one or two digits, depending on the geographic region.
   
   Here are some key area codes in New Zealand:

   Region	Area Code	Region	Area Code
   Christchurch	03	Hastings	06
   Invercargill	03	New Plymouth	06
   Dunedin	03	Tauranga	07
   Wellington Region	04	Hamilton	07
   Napier	06	Whangarei	09
   Palmerston North	06	Auckland	09

4. Mobile Prefix: Mobile phone numbers in New Zealand always begin with the prefix 02, followed by another digit such as 1, 2, or 7. This creates prefixes like 021, 022, or 027, which are associated with major carriers such as Vodafone, 2degrees, and Spark. However, when dialing a New Zealand mobile number from overseas, the leading zero is dropped.
5. Subscriber Number: The Subscriber number is the unique identifier for a specific phone line of an individual or business. 

When you’re calling within New Zealand, dial the area code plus the subscriber number for landlines, or the mobile prefix followed by the subscriber number for mobiles. For toll-free numbers, you need to dial “0800” or “0508” and then the subscriber number.

When calling a landline in New Zealand from within the country, you need to dial the nine-digit number. This includes the area code for the region and the subscriber's landline number.

However, if you’re calling from one landline to another within the same area, you often don’t need to include the area code; dialing just the subscriber number is enough.

When calling a mobile number in New Zealand locally, you must dial the full mobile number, which includes the mobile prefix and the seven or nine-digit cell phone number. Common mobile prefixes are 021, 022, and 027, each linked to different mobile carriers.

Toll-free numbers in New Zealand start with prefixes such as 0508 or 0800, followed by a six or seven-digit subscriber number. They are free to call and are widely used by businesses for customer support, helplines, and sales inquiries.

When calling a New Zealand landline number internationally, dial your country’s international access code, New Zealand’s country code, the area code without the leading zero, and the subscriber number. For a New Zealand mobile number, dial your country’s international access code, followed by the New Zealand country code, the mobile prefix without the leading zero, and the subscriber number.

To call a New Zealand landline number from abroad, dial your country’s international exit code, then enter New Zealand's country code, the area code of your desired destination, but without the leading zero and the subscriber number.

Here is how to call a New Zealand landline number from the United States: 011 64 3 123 4567.

Where,

• 011 - International exit code for the United States
• 64 - Country code for New Zealand
  3 - Area code for Blenheim (without the leading 0)
• 123 4567 - Local subscriber number 

Alternatively, instead of typing the international exit code, you can use the plus sign when calling from a cellphone: +64 3 123 4567.

To call a New Zealand mobile number from overseas, dial the international exit code of the country you are calling from, then enter New Zealand’s country code, followed by the mobile prefix without a leading zero and the subscriber number.

Here is how to call a New Zealand mobile number from Australia: 0011 64 21 123 456. Or, using the plus sign: +64 21 123 456.

Where,

• 0011 - International exit code for Australia
• 64 - Country code for New Zealand
• 21 - Mobile prefix (without the leading 0)
• 123 456 - Subscriber number

To call a New Zealand toll-free number internationally, dial the international access code of the country you are calling from, enter the New Zealand country code, the toll-free prefix without a zero, and the subscriber number.

Here is how to call a New Zealand toll-free number from the United States: 011 64 800 123 4567. Or, you can use the plus sign: +64 800 123 4567.

Where,

• 011 - International exit code for the United States
• 64 - New Zealand country code
• 800 - Toll-free prefix (without the leading 0)
• 123 4567 - Subscriber number

The New Zealand mobile number consists of 7 to 10 digits, starting with the prefix ‘02’. The exact prefix is unique to each telephone carrier. For instance, prefixes like 021, 022, and 027 are linked to providers such as Vodafone, 2degrees, and Spark, respectively.

Mobile phone number format in New Zealand: 02 + local phone number

Example: 02 1 23456X
 

How to Call New Zealand Mobile Number? 

To call the New Zealand mobile number, dial the mobile prefix 02 followed by the 7 to 9-digit cell number.

However, you’d need to start with the exit code and New Zealand country code if you’re calling from abroad. Explore the process in detail here:

For Domestic Calls:
 

Step 1: Enter the mobile prefix - ‘02’

Step 2: Key in the 7-9-digit unique subscriber number.

For International Calls:
 

Step 1: Enter the exit code of the country you are calling from.

Step 2: Dial the country code of New Zealand ‘64’.

Step 3: Enter the mobile prefix 02 but omit the 0 while calling from abroad.

Step 4: Lastly, dial the 7 to 9-digit remaining number.
 

For example, if you are calling from the United States, the New Zealand mobile phone number format would look like 011 64 2X XXX XXXX

The New Zealand landline number consists of a total of 9 digits, where the first three digits are area codes, and the remaining seven digits are local landline numbers. These landline numbers are specific to geographic regions and are important to route the calls to the right locations.

New Zealand Landline Number format: Area Code + local landline number

Example: 09 123456X, to call a landline in Auckland 
 

How to Call the New Zealand Landline Number?
 

To call New Zealand, simply enter the area code and local landline number. However, the process is slightly different when calling internationally. Here are the steps explained in the details:

For Domestic Calls:

Step 1: Enter the area code of your target destination.

Step 2: Key in the 7-digit local landline number.

For International Calls:

Step 1: Enter the exit code of the country you are calling from. (For example, Canada's exit code is “011.”)

Step 2: Enter the country code of New Zealand ‘+64’.

Step 3: Enter the area code of the region you want to call but without leading 0. (For example, the Wellington area code is 04)

Step 4: At last, enter the remaining 7-digit number

For instance, if you’re calling from the US to Auckland, the New Zealand phone number format example would be 011 64 9 123 XXXX.

New Zealand has different types of toll-free numbers, starting with prefixes such as 0508, 0800, and 0900. They are free to call and are widely used by businesses for customer support, helplines, and sales inquiries.

New Zealand toll-free phone number format: Toll-free prefix + subscriber number

Example: 0800 12345X
 

How to Call the New Zealand Toll-Free Number?

To call the New Zealand toll-free number, dial the toll-free prefixes followed by the subscriber’s number.

For Domestic Calls:

Step 1: Dial the toll-free number prefix.

Step 2: Key in the subscriber number.

For International Calls:

Step 1: Dial the international access code of the country you are calling from.

Step 2: Enter the country code +64.

Step 3: Enter the toll-free prefix, such as 0800 or 0508, without the leading zero.

Step 4: Dial the 6 to 7-digit local number.

For example, to call an 0800 number from the USA, you would dial 011 64 800 123 XXXX.

For Landline: 09 123 456X (for local calls)
                       011 64 9 123 456X (for international calls from the US)

For Mobile: 02 123 456X (for local calls)
                     +65 2 123 456X (for international calls)

For Landline: 04 123 456X (for local calls)
                       011 64 4 123 456X (for international calls from the US)

For Mobile: 02 123 456X (for local calls)
                     +64 2 123 456X (for international calls)

For Landline: 03 123 456X (for local calls)
                       011 64 3 123 456X (for international calls from the US)

For Mobile: 02 123 456X (for local calls)
                    +64 2 123 456X (for international calls)

Frequent errors when calling New Zealand include misunderstanding the difference between landline area codes and mobile network prefixes. Callers also incorrectly include the leading zero when dialing from overseas. Additionally, dialing the wrong area code or forgetting to use your country’s international exit code can prevent the call from connecting properly.

• Misunderstanding Phone Number Prefixes: New Zealand landline numbers consist of area codes, while mobile numbers consist of network prefixes. Many people misunderstand this concept and make mistakes when calling.
• Including the leading 0: When dialing from overseas, do not include the leading zero in New Zealand area codes or mobile prefixes.
• Wrong Area Code: If you mistakenly dial the wrong area code, your call may not connect or could be routed to an unintended recipient.
• Incorrect Dialing Format: When calling internationally, people often forget to place the exit code of their country. Make sure to begin the call by dialing your country’s international access code if you’re calling New Zealand from abroad.

When calling New Zealand, ensure you have a stable network connection and check international calling rates with your provider to avoid high costs. Also, keep in mind the significant time difference, as New Zealand follows NZST (UTC+12) and NZDT (UTC+13) during daylight savings.

Having a stable network connection is crucial for making clear calls to New Zealand, especially for international dialing. Whether you are using a mobile network or internet-based calling apps, ensure you have a strong signal or reliable Wi-Fi to prevent dropped calls or poor audio quality.

Calling New Zealand internationally can sometimes be expensive, and the cost varies depending on your telecom carrier and calling plan. It’s a good idea to compare rates and plans from different providers to find the most affordable option for your needs.

New Zealand operates on New Zealand Standard Time (UTC+12) and New Zealand Daylight Time (UTC+13) during daylight savings. Since the time difference between your country and New Zealand may be significant, check the local time before calling to avoid reaching someone too early or too late.

Dialing the correct New Zealand phone number format ensures your calls connect smoothly, whether locally or internationally. For domestic calls, use the area code with the subscriber number for landlines, or the mobile prefix with the subscriber number for mobiles. For international calls, add your country’s exit code, New Zealand’s country code, and the area or mobile code (without the leading zero) before the local number.

Still, issues like poor call quality and high international charges are common. A VoIP solution makes calling easier and more affordable.