Telephone numbers in New Zealand


The New Zealand telephone numbering plan describes the allocation of telephone numbers in New Zealand and the Pitcairn Islands.

History

By the 1970s, New Zealand's telephone network consisted primarily of step-by-step telephone exchanges or, in the main centres, a mixture of rotary and step-by-step exchanges. A few small towns and rural areas were still served by manual exchanges. Local telephone number lengths varied from three to six digits, depending on the size of the exchange and the population of the local calling area.
Rotary telephone dials in New Zealand were numbered in reverse to most of the world, with 9 closest to the finger stop and numbers descending anticlockwise to 0, farthest from the finger stop. Under pulse dialling, 9 sent one pulse, 8 sent two pulses, 7 sent three pulses, and so on, with 0 sending ten pulses. Numbers starting with 9 were not assigned, as the single pulse could be easily misdialled. The digit 0 was reserved for calling the operator and numbers beginning with 1 were used for special services.
Complex dialling instructions were printed in the front of telephone directories, explaining the sequences required to reach subscribers in local “free calling” areas, and in some cases for short-distance toll calls. In step-by-step exchanges, these short toll calls were metered manually. Local calls were free, while long-distance calls required the intervention of an operator, who accessed toll circuits via a cord board or a toll exchange.
Crossbar exchanges began to be installed from the 1970s, and electronic exchanges from 1982.

Subscriber toll dialling (the historical codes)

was introduced to the New Zealand telephone network in the mid-to-late 1970s, following the installation of NEC crossbar-based toll exchanges capable of performing number translation. The first exchange to implement STD was Upper Hutt on 9 April 1976. Callers on STD-equipped exchanges could dial their own toll calls to any other automatic exchange by dialling 0, followed by the STD code and then the local number. Access to the operator moved to 010. Calls to manual exchanges continued to require operator assistance.
Rollout of STD continued through the late 1970s and 1980s. In some rural exchanges, full automation was not available: the call would be routed automatically, but an operator would briefly intervene to identify the calling number before the connection was completed. This was commonly due to the continued use of party lines, which could not be distinguished automatically by the exchange equipment.
The original STD codes were allocated roughly from south to north, with a few exceptions. The shortest codes were assigned to the largest cities — 09 for Auckland, 04 for Wellington, and 03 for Christchurch. Smaller rural exchanges with shorter local numbers had longer STD codes. The combined length of the STD code and the local number, excluding the initial 0, was usually seven digits, but could vary between six and eight digits. For example, in 1987 the Department of Statistics was listed with a six-digit number in Auckland, seven-digit numbers in Wellington and Christchurch, and an eight-digit number in Dunedin.
A complete list of STD codes from 1987 is below:
LocationExchange codeSTD code
AhauraAU027 23
AhiparaAPAConnect via operator
AhititiAHI067 25
AkaroaAOConnect via operator
AlburyABY0505 5
AlexandraAL0294
AlfredtonALF0650 28
AmberleyAY0504
ApitiAPA063 284
AriaAIA0813 77
ArrowtownAW0294
Arthurs PassAHP0516 34
ArundelARD056 33
AshburtonARD053
AshhurstAHI063 284
Ashley ClintonASC0728 56
Ashwick FlatAWF0505 4
AtaahuaAHA03 290
AtiamuriATM074 38
AucklandAK09
AuroaARU062 25
AwakinoAWK067 29
AwanuiAAI0889
BalcluthaBL0299
BalfourBAL020
BarrytownBTN027 21
BelfastBEL03 23
BenneydaleBDE0813 48
BidefordBID059 24
BlairlogieBLI059 23
BlenheimBM057
BluffBLF021 37
BombayBOB085 20
BrightonBGN024
BrightwaterBGW054
BroadwoodBRWConnect via operator
BrownsBN021 37
BrunswickBSK064 21
BullsBSK0652
BunnythorpeBUN063 284
BurnhamBHN03 256
CambridgeCB071
CartertonCI0593
CaveCAV056 23
Centre BushCEN021 360
CheltenhamCAM063 289
ChertseyCY053 22
CheviotCT05138
ChristchurchCH03
ClandeboyeCDB056 22
Clarence bridgeCLB0513
ClarisCLRConnect via operator
ClevedonCDB09 2928
ClintonCO0299
ClydeCYD0294 42
CollingwoodCW0524
ColvilleCLV0843 56
ColytonCOL063 287
CoromandelCLB0843
CromwellCMW0294
CulverdenCVD0515
CustCU0502 25
DannevirkeDV0653
DarfieldDRF0516 34
DargavilleDRL0884
Diamond HarbourDHB03 294
DiptonDIP0228
DobsonDOB027 25
Donnellys CrossingDCGConnect via operator
DorieDOR053 20
DouglasDS0663 27
DrummondDMD021 362
DunbackDBK024 850
DunedinDN024
DunrobinDUR020 40
DunsandelDSD03 23
DuntroonDUN0297 22
DuvauchelleDBKConnect via operator
EdendaleEDD0223
Egmont VillageEGV067 22
EketahunaEKA0650 5
ElsthorpeELP0728 64
ElstowELS0819 20
ElthamELT0663 4
FairlieFK0505
FeatherstonFN0553
FeildingFG063
FordellFDL064 27
Fox GlacierFXRConnect via operator
FoxtonFXR069
Franz Josef GlacierFJGConnect via operator
GalateaGAL073 64
GarstonGTN022 83
GeraldineGD056
GisborneGS079
GladstoneGLS059 27
GlenavyGL0519 23
GlenbrookGLB085 33
Glen MurrayGMY085
Glen OrouaGNO063 297
GlenroyGLY0516 66
GlentunnelGLU0516 67
GordontonGOR071 293
GoreGG020
Governors BayGOV03 299
GranityGC0289
GreenparkGPK03 292
GreymouthGM027
GreytownGN0553
HaastHASConnect via operator
HalcombeHAL063 288
Halfmoon BayHMB021 360
HamiltonHN071
HampdenHA0297 25
Hanmer SpringsHP0515
HarihariHRIConnect via operator
HastingsHBN070
HavelockHV057
HawardenHAW0504
HaweraHW062
HedgehopeHGH021
HelensvilleHL0880
HenleyHY024 21
HerekinoHKOConnect via operator
HeriotHRT020
Hibiscus CoastHBC09 42
HighbankHIG053 21
HikuaiHKK0843 47
HikurangiHG089 25
HikutaiaHKA0816 24
HilderthorpeHIT0297 23
HiltonHIL056 34
HimatangiHIM063 299
HindsHDS053
HinueraHIN0818 26
Hoe-o-TainuiHOI0819 27
HokitikaHKConnect via operator
HororataHO0516 68
HouhoraHROConnect via operator
HuiaHR09 8118
HuntervilleHVL0652
HuntlyHLY0817
HunuaHUN09 2924
HydeHYD0294
IkawaiIKI0519 26
Inangahua JunctionINJConnect via operator
InglewoodID067
InvercargillIN021
IrwellIRW03 241
KaeoKAOConnect via operator
KaharoaKHA073 23
KahutaraKAH0553 27
KaiapoiKI03 27
KaiauaKAA085 22
Kai IwiKW064 29
KaikoheKHO0887
KaikouraKK0513
Kaingaroa ForestKFR073 39
Kaipara FlatsKF0846 25
KairangaKAN063 290
KaitaiaKTAConnect via operator
KaitangataKNA0299 29
KaiwakaKWK0846
KapongaKPO0663 26
KarakaKA09 2927
KarameaKM0289 26
KatikatiKT075
KaukapakapaKPA0880
KawakawaKVConnect via operator
Kawau IslandKAU0846 24
KawerauKEU076
KawhiaKWA082 25
KekerenguKG057 20
KerepehiKPE0816 22
KerikeriKC0887
KimboltonKIM063 285
KiokioKIO0813 31
KirikopuniKINConnect via operator
KirweeKWI0516 36
KiwitahiKIW0819 24
KohukohuKOU0887 55
KowhitirangiKOGConnect via operator
KumaraKUA027 29
KurowKOW0298 8
Lake ColeridgeLCR0516 65
Lake TekapoLTK0505 6
LawrenceLConnect via operator
Le Bons BayLBSConnect via operator
LeestonLSN03 243
LeppertonLEP067 20
LevinLVN069
LichfieldLLD081 426
LintonLTN063
Little AkaloaLKAConnect via operator
Little RiverLRV03
LoburnLBN0502 28
LochmaraLOB057
Lower MoutereLMO0524 77
LumsdenLMS0228
LytteltonLYT03 28
MahenoMHO0297 28
MahiaMH0724 25
MaihiihiMIH0813 32
MakikihiMAK0519 25
MakirikiriMIK064 25
MakuriMRI0650 23
MamakuMMK073 25
MamaranuiMMI0884 36
ManaiaMA062 4
ManakauMNK069 26
ManapouriMPR0229 6
ManawaruMNW0819 29
MangakahiaMGL089 31
MangakinoMKO0814
MangamahuMAG064 22
Mangamuka BridgeMBG0887 67
MangatangiMTP085 27
MangawekaMGA0658 25
MangawhaiMWI0846
MangonuiMGI0889
ManurewaMNR09
ManutukeMKE079 28
MapuaMPX054
MaraekakahoMKK070 789
MaraetotaraMAO070 787
MaramaruaMMR085 25
MartinboroughMBA0553
MartonML0652
MaruiaMIA054 38
MastertonMS059
MatamataMAM0818
MatangiMTG071 295
MataroaMRT0658 27
MatauraMT020 3
MatawaiMWD079 24
MatiereMTW0812 27
MaungakarameaMGK089 23
MaungatapereMPE089
MaungatautariMG071 272
MaungatiMAN056 29
MaungaturotoMAUConnect via operator
MauricevilleMV059 25
MaxwellMX064 23
MayfieldMFD053
MercerMRI085 26
MethvenMVN053
MiddlemarchMDL024 26
MidhirstMID0663 28
Milford SoundMFSConnect via operator
Millers FlatMFL0294 46
MiltonMI0299 7
MokauitiMKJ0813 76
MokihinuiMKN0289 21
MorrinsvilleMOV0819
MorvenMRN0519 27
MosgielMSI024 89
MossburnMOB0228
MoteaMOE0653 25
MotuMTM079 35
MotuekaMU0524
MotukararaMOT03 297
Mt CookMCK056 21
Mt MaunganuiMMN075
Mt RuapehuMRP0812 23
Mt SomersMSM053 39
MurchisonMAT054
MuruparaMUP073
NapierNA070
National ParkNAT0812 22
NelsonNN054
NethertonNRN0816 23
New PlymouthNU067
NgahereNE027 24
NgakuruNR073 32
NgaruaNGU0819 23
NgaruawahiaNT071 24
NgatapaNGB079 39
NgateaNGT0843
NgatimotiNGI0524 68
NgunguruNG089 33
NightcapsNGC0225 27
NorsewoodNWD0653 28
NuhakaNK0724 28
OakleighOKL089 22
OakuraOKR067
OamaruOU0297 22
OhaeawaiOW0887 68
OhaiOIH0225 26
OhakuneOKN0658
OhangaiOHG062 22
OhaupoOHP071 296
OhingaitiONG0652 29
OhokaOHK0502 26
OhuraOR0812 28
OkatawaOKI062 26
OkaihauOAH0887
Okains BayOKSConnect via operator
OkatoOTO067
OkawaOOK070 783
Okere FallsOF073 24
OkiwiOKWConnect via operator
OkoiaOIA064 24
OkoroireOKO081 424
OmakauOMU0294 43
OmakereOMK0728 63
OmaramaOMM0298 4
OmihiOMI0504 45
OnewheroONH085 28
OngarueOGU0812 25
OpikiOPK063 291
OpononiOPN0887 58
OpotikiOP076
OpunakeOK0661
OramaOFTConnect via operator
OrawiaOWI0225 25
OrepukiORP021
OriniORN0817 44
OrmondvilleOV0653 27
ŌtakiOT069
OtamauriOAR070 782
OtaneOTN0728 63
OtauaOTM085 32
OtautauOAU0225 25
OtematataOMT0298 2
OtewaOTW0813 30
OtipuaOTU056 24
OtiraOTI027 20
OtorohangaOHA0813 3
OturehuaOEA0294 45
OutramORA024 20
OwakaOAK0299 29
OwhangoOWN0812 26
OxfordOX0502
PaekakarikiPAE058
PaeroaPOA0816
PahiatuaPHA0650
PaihiaPIH0885
PalmersonPL024
Palmerston NorthPM063
PanetapuPNT082 22
PapakuraPAK09
PaparimuPPM09 2925
PaparoaPAPConnect via operator
ParaparaumuPRM058
ParaweraPWA082 27
ParnassusPAN05132
ParoaPAR027 26
Parua BayPAB089 21
PateaPA062 3
PatearoaPTA0294 47
PatetongsPTE0819 28
PatokaPTO070 298
PatumahoePHO085
PatutahiPHI079 27
PeeblesPBL0297 27
PeriaPERConnect via operator
PictonPN057
Picton SoundsPTS057
Pigeon BayPGBConnect via operator
PiopioPIO0813
PirinoaPIN0553 28
PirongiaPIR082 28
PohanginaPOH063 294
PokuruPOK082 23
PollokPOL085 30
PongaroaPOG0650 26
Port ChalmersPC024 72
Port FitzroyPTFConnect via operator
Port WaikatoPOW085 29
PuahuePUA082 21
PuhoiPUH0846 20
PukeatuaPTU082 24
PukehinaPE075
PukekawaPW085 24
PukekohePUK085
PukerauPAU020 23
PuketuruaPUE081 425
PutaruruPUT0814
QueenstownQ0294
RaetihiRET0658
RaglanRAG071
RahotuRHU0661
Rai ValleyRAI054
RakaiaRAK053
RanfurlyRNF0294
RangioraRR0502
RangiotuRNU063 296
RangitaikiRGT074 42
RangiwahiaRGW063 282
RaupungaRPG0724 26
RaweneRWN0887 57
Redwood ValleyRDV054 20
ReeftonRN027 28
ReporoaREO073
RerewhakaaituREW073 36
RichmondRDV054 4
RissingtonRSN070 295
RiversdaleRVD020
RivertonRI021
RollestonROL03
RongoteaRON063
RossRSConnect via operator
RotoitiROI073 27
RotomaROM073 20
Roto-o-RangiROO071 271
RotongaroROG0817 66
RotoruaRO073
RotowaroROW0817 68
RoxburghR0294
RuakakaRUK089
RuakawakawaRKW09
RuatangataRTG089 35
RuatoriaRUT079
RuawaiRUW0884
RunangaRUN027 27
RussellRL0885
SalesSAS0887 75
St AndrewsSTA056 26
St ArnaudSA054 36
SansonSN063 293
ScargillSCG0504 43
SeftonSEF0502 29
ShannonSHN069
SheffieldSD0516 38
SouthbridgeSOU03 242
South Kaipara HeadSKH0880 2
SpencervilleSPE03 298
Spring CreekSCK057 25
SpringburnSB053 30
SpringdaleSDL0819 22
SpringfieldSPF0516 37
SpringstonSPN03 296
StratfordSFD0663
StrathmoreSTM0663 23
Studholme-WillowbridgeSTJ0519 28
SumnerSUM03 28
TahekeTHK0887 56
TahunaTHN0819 25
TaihapeTPE0658
TaipuhaTPPConnect via operator
TairuaTAR0843
Tai TapuTAA03 296
TakakaTAK0524
TakapauTPU0728
TapanuiTP020
TapaweraTPW054
TaporaTPR0846 21
TapuTAP0843 74
TarataTTA067 21
TarikiTAI0663 24
Tarras TRS0294
Tarras TRS029 453
TasmanTSM0524 76
TauheiTAE0819 26
TaumarunuiTMN0812
TaupiriTPI0817 45
TaupoTPO074
TaurangaTG075
TauwhareTWE071 290
Te AkauTEF071
Te AnauTNU0229
Te AngaTEG0813 67
Te AraroaTRL079 44
Te ArohaTHR0819
Te AwamutuTAW082
Te HaukeTHU070 788
Te KahaTKE076 52
Te KaoTAOConnect via operator
Te KarakaTKK079 23
Te KauwhataTUW0817
Te KawaTEK082 26
Te KopuruTKP0884 37
Te KuitiTKT0813
TemukaTKE056 21
Te PahuTAU071 269
Te PohueTHE070 291
Te PoiTEP0818 27
Te Puia SpringsTPS079 46
Te PukeTPV075
Te PuruTUP0843
ThamesTH0843
The KeyTEY0229 5
ThornburyTY021
ThorpeTHP054 31
TikitikiTII079 43
TokokinoTKO0728 65
TimaruTU056
TinuiTN059 26
TirauTIR0814
TitirangiTGN09 817
TokanuiTKG021 398
TokoTO0663 22
TokomaruTOK063 298
Tokomaru BayTKY079 45
TokoroaTOB0814
Tolaga BayTGB079 26
TowaiTOI089 34
TryphenaTYPConnect via operator
TuaiTUB0724 23
TuakauTKU085
TuatapereTTE0225
TurakinaTUA0652 26
TurangiTGI074 6
TutiraTTI070 297
TwizelTWL056 20
UmaweraUR0887
Upper MoutereUMO054 21
UrenuiURE054 21
UrutiUTI067
WaerengaWGA0817 67
WaianiwaWAU021 392
WaiauWU0515
Waiau PaWAF085 21
Waihao DownsWNS0519 22
WaihaorungaWIO0519 24
WaihararaWHRConnect via operator
Waihau BayWBA076 53
WaihekeWH09 72
WaihiWAH0816 3
Waihi BeachWBH0816
Waihopai ValleyWHV057 24
WaikaiaWJA020 27
WaikakaWKK020 22
WaikanaeWAE058
WaikiteWTK073 31
WaikoikoiWOK020 26
WaikouaitiWK024
WaimaWMA0887 53
WaimahakaWMK021 399
WaimamakuWUK0887 54
WaimanaWMNConnect via operator
WaimangaroaWMG0289 27
WaimaramaWRM070 786
WaimateWE0519
WaimaukuWM09
WaimihaWMHConnect via operator
WainuioruWUR059 22
WaiotahiWHI076 54
WaiotiraWTR089 29
WaiouruWIR0658
WaipahiWPI020 28
WaiparaWPR0504 46
WaipawaWI0728
Waipori FallsWPS024 24
WaipuWD089
WaipukurauW0728
Wairau ValleyWRU057 22
WairoaWA0724
WaitahunaWNAConnect via operator
WaitakaruruWKG0843
WaitaraWT067
WaitatiWTI024 22
WaiterimuWTE0817 65
WaitoaWTO0819 21
Waituna WestWNL063 286
WaiukuWKU085
WakanuiWNU053 23
WakefieldWLD054
WaltonWLN0818 28
WanakaWNK0294 3
WanganuiWGA064
WaotuWAO081 422
WardWB057 20
WardvilleWAD0818 25
WarkworthWW0846
WaverleyWV064
WeberWEB0653 26
WellingtonWN04
WellsfordWFD0846 3
WesterfieldWSF053 25
WestportWP0289
WhakaparaWKP089 39
WhakataneWHK076
WhangaaehuWGU064 26
WhangamataWGM0816
WhangamomonaWMM0663 25
WhangaraWGH079 22
WhangareiWR089
Whangarei HeadsWRH089 32
WhangaruruWHN089 36
WhataroaWAAConnect via operator
WhatatutuWTA079 21
WhenuakiteWEN0843 63
WhitiangaWHT0843
WillowbankWLB020 21
WillowbyWIL053 26
WinchmoreWCM053 24
WindsorWSR0297 26
WintonWO021
WoodburyWRY056 32
WoodendWND0502
WoodvilleWDV0650
WyndhamWYD0223