The 64 country code belongs to New Zealand (Aotearoa). Whether you're calling business contacts in Auckland, family in Wellington, or friends exploring the South Island, the +64 prefix connects you to this Pacific nation of nearly 5 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +64 is for New Zealand. When calling from overseas, drop the leading 0 from the NZ number. For example, an Auckland number like 09 123 4567 becomes +64 9 123 4567.

How to Call New Zealand: Quick Reference

The key rule for calling New Zealand is simple: always drop the leading zero. NZ domestic numbers start with 0, but this trunk prefix must be removed when dialing internationally.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +64 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-64-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-64-[number without leading 0]
Australia 0011-64-[number without leading 0]
Japan 010-64-[number without leading 0]
China 00-64-[number without leading 0]

New Zealand has strong ties to Australia, the UK, and Asia-Pacific nations, and its tourism industry attracts millions of visitors annually.

Understanding New Zealand Phone Numbers

New Zealand phone numbers follow a consistent structure with single-digit area codes for landlines.

The Leading Zero Rule

All New Zealand phone numbers begin with a 0 when dialed domestically. This is a trunk prefix, not part of the actual phone number. When calling from overseas, you must:

  • Remove the leading 0
  • Replace it with +64

This is the single most important rule for calling New Zealand internationally.

Mobile Numbers

New Zealand mobile numbers start with 02:

  • Domestic Format: 02X XXX XXXX (10 digits starting with 021, 022, 027, 028, or 029)
  • International Format: +64 2X XXX XXXX (9 digits after +64)
  • Common mobile prefixes: 021, 022, 027, 028, 029
  • Example: 021 123 4567 becomes +64 21 123 4567

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

New Zealand landlines use single-digit area codes followed by 7-digit local numbers:

  • Domestic Format: 0X XXX XXXX (9 digits total)
  • International Format: +64 X XXX XXXX
  • Example: Auckland number 09 123 4567 becomes +64 9 123 4567

Note: New Zealand has only 5 geographic area codes (03, 04, 06, 07, 09), which makes the system simpler than many other countries.

New Zealand Area Codes Reference Table

Here are all the New Zealand geographic area codes:

Area Code Region/City International Format
09 Auckland, Northland +64 9 xxx xxxx
07 Waikato, Bay of Plenty (Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua) +64 7 xxx xxxx
06 Taranaki, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne +64 6 xxx xxxx
04 Wellington Region (Capital) +64 4 xxx xxxx
03 South Island (Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown) +64 3 xxx xxxx

Pattern to note: The entire South Island shares one area code (03). The North Island is split into four codes based on region.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell mobile from landline by the prefix:

  • Starts with 02 (or +64 2): Always a mobile number
  • Starts with 03, 04, 06, 07, or 09: Always a landline number

This distinction matters because calling rates to mobiles are typically higher than landlines with most international calling services.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples showing how to dial New Zealand numbers from various countries:

Example 1: Calling an Auckland Landline from the US

  • NZ Number: 09 123 4567 (Auckland area code 09)
  • From a US Mobile: +64 9 123 4567
  • From a US Landline: 011 64 9 123 4567

Example 2: Calling a New Zealand Mobile from the US

  • NZ Number: 021 234 5678
  • From a US Mobile: +64 21 234 5678
  • From a US Landline: 011 64 21 234 5678

Example 3: Calling a Wellington Landline from Australia

  • NZ Number: 04 567 8901 (Wellington area code 04)
  • From Australia: 0011 64 4 567 8901

Example 4: Calling a Christchurch Number from the UK

  • NZ Number: 03 987 6543 (South Island area code 03)
  • From the UK: 00 64 3 987 6543

Best Times to Call New Zealand

New Zealand operates on a single time zone (plus the Chatham Islands at +45 minutes), but it's one of the first countries to see each new day:

Time Zone Period UTC Offset
NZST New Zealand Standard Time (Winter) UTC+12
NZDT New Zealand Daylight Time (Summer) UTC+13

Time differences from major cities:

Your Location NZ Time Difference Call NZ 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) NZ is 17-18 hours ahead 3 PM - 11 PM previous day
US West Coast (PST) NZ is 20-21 hours ahead 12 PM - 8 PM previous day
UK (GMT) NZ is 12-13 hours ahead 8 PM - 4 AM your time
Australia (Sydney) NZ is 2-3 hours ahead 7 AM - 3 PM your time

Tip: For US callers, late afternoon or early evening your time reaches New Zealand during their morning business hours the next day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 64 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: The most common mistake. +64 09... is wrong; +64 9... is correct.
  • Confusing +64 with +61: +64 is New Zealand, +61 is Australia. Easy to mix up since they're neighbors.
  • Forgetting the time difference: New Zealand is ahead of most of the world. When it's Monday morning in Auckland, it's still Sunday in the Americas.
  • Wrong mobile prefix: NZ mobiles start with 02X (like 021, 022, 027), not 04 or 09.
  • Assuming area code 03 is only Christchurch: The entire South Island uses 03, including Dunedin, Queenstown, and Nelson.

Cheapest Ways to Call +64 Numbers

International calls to New Zealand don't have to be expensive. Here are your best options:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to New Zealand, often under $0.03/minute for landlines. Check our New Zealand calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber are popular in New Zealand and allow free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Many carriers include New Zealand in Asia-Pacific or Oceania calling bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.

New Zealand has a large diaspora in Australia, the UK, and North America, so affordable calling options are widely available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +64 country code?

The +64 country code is for New Zealand (Aotearoa). This covers all of New Zealand including major cities like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Dunedin.

How many digits is a New Zealand phone number?

New Zealand phone numbers are typically 9-10 digits domestically. Landlines have a 1-digit area code plus 7 digits (9 total). Mobile numbers start with 02 and have 8-9 digits after the prefix (10 total).

What is the area code for Auckland?

The area code for Auckland is 09. For international calls, you would dial +64 9 followed by the local number (dropping the leading 0).

What is the area code for Wellington?

The area code for Wellington is 04. Internationally, you would dial +64 4 followed by the local number.

How do I call New Zealand from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +64 followed by the NZ number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 64, then the number without the leading 0.

Do I drop the 0 when calling New Zealand internationally?

Yes, always drop the leading 0. NZ domestic numbers start with 0 (like 09 for Auckland or 021 for mobile), but when calling from overseas, replace the 0 with +64. So 09 123 4567 becomes +64 9 123 4567.

Is +64 New Zealand or Australia?

+64 is the country code for New Zealand. The country code for Australia is +61. These neighboring countries have similar codes but are separate.

Related Country Codes

Looking for other country codes in Oceania or nearby regions? Check out these guides:

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