Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
International Calls
Payphones allow international calls, but the cost and international dialling code for calls will
vary depending on which provider you're using. International calls from NZ are relatively in-
expensive and subject to specials that reduce the rates even more, so it's worth shopping
around.
To make international calls from NZ, you need to dial the international access code ( 00),
the country code and the area code (without the initial 0). So for a London number, you'd dial
00-44-20, then the phone number.
If dialling NZ from overseas, the country code is 64, followed by the appropriate area
code minus the initial zero.
Local Calls
Local calls from private phones are free! Local calls from payphones cost $1 for the first 15
minutes, and 20c per minute thereafter, though coin-operated payphones are scarce - you'll
need a phonecard. Calls to mobile phones attract higher rates.
Long Distance Calls & Area Codes
NZ uses regional two-digit area codes for long-distance calls, which can be made from any
payphone. If you're making a local call (ie to someone else in the same town), you don't
need to dial the area code. But if you're dialling within a region (even if it's to a nearby town
with the same area code), you do have to dial the area code.
Information & Toll-Free Calls
Numbers starting with 0900 are usually recorded information services, charging upwards
of $1 per minute (more from mobiles); these numbers cannot be dialled from payphones.
Toll-free numbers in NZ have the prefix 0800 or 0508 and can be called free of
charge from anywhere in the country, though they may not be accessible from certain areas
or mobile phones. Telephone numbers beginning with 0508, 0800 or 0900 cannot be
dialled from outside NZ.
Mobile Phones
Local mobile phone numbers are preceded by 021, 022, 025 or 027. Mobile
phone coverage is good in cities and towns and most parts of the North Island, but can be
patchy away from urban centres on the South Island.
If you want to bring your own phone and use a prepaid service with a local SIM card,
Vodafone is a practical option. Any Vodafone shop (found in most major towns) will set you
