Phone Number Validation API for New Zealand
Validate mobile numbers and check carrier portability status programmatically. Real-time IPMS lookup returns accurate carrier information for all NZ networks.
Per Lookup
+ GST
Real-Time Data
Official NZ database
API Uptime
Reliable service
NZ Networks
Spark, One NZ, 2degrees, Skinny
What is Phone Number Validation?
Phone number validation allows you to verify New Zealand mobile numbers and determine their current carrier status. Our API connects directly to the Industry Portability Management System (IPMS), the official database that tracks mobile number portability across all New Zealand networks.
When a customer ports their mobile number from one carrier to another, the IPMS database is updated to reflect this change. Our API provides real-time access to this information, allowing you to identify the current carrier for any NZ mobile number, regardless of the original network prefix.
This service is essential for businesses that need to route SMS messages efficiently, validate customer contact information, or maintain accurate carrier data in their CRM systems.
API Features
Everything you need for programmatic number validation
Number Validation
Verify that a mobile number is valid and correctly formatted for New Zealand networks.
Carrier Identification
Identify the current carrier for any NZ mobile number, including ported numbers.
Portability Status
Determine if a number has been ported from its original network to a new carrier.
Original Network
See the original network assignment based on the number prefix (021, 022, 027, etc.).
Current Network
Get the actual current carrier servicing the number after any ports.
RESTful API
Simple JSON-based REST API with comprehensive documentation and code examples.
Use Cases
How businesses use phone number validation
SMS Routing
Route messages through the optimal carrier path for faster delivery and reduced costs. Essential for high-volume SMS platforms.
Contact Database Cleaning
Validate and enrich your contact database with accurate carrier information. Remove invalid numbers and update ported number records.
Fraud Prevention
Detect potentially fraudulent signups by validating phone numbers and identifying suspicious patterns in carrier data.
Cost Optimization
Optimize messaging costs by knowing the exact carrier before sending. Different carriers may have different termination rates.
Customer Verification
Verify customer phone numbers during registration or checkout processes to ensure valid contact information.
CRM Integration
Integrate with your CRM to automatically enrich contact records with carrier data and keep information up-to-date.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Pay only for what you use
per lookup + GST
- Real-time IPMS database access
- All NZ mobile networks supported
- No minimum volume requirements
- Volume discounts available
- Pay-as-you-go billing
Easy API Integration
Simple RESTful API with JSON responses
// HTTP Request
POST /api/connexus/number/lookup
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
userId=user@example.com&password=yourpassword&number=0211234567
// JSON Response
{
"success": true,
"number": "6421234567",
"carrier": "Spark",
"ported": false,
"original_network": "Spark",
"current_network": "Spark",
"network_code": "TCNZ"
}
// Number too short
{
"success": false,
"error": "Invalid number",
"message": "Number too short. NZ mobile numbers must be 9-11 digits (e.g., 021234567)."
}
// Number too long
{
"success": false,
"error": "Invalid number",
"message": "Number too long. NZ mobile numbers must be 9-11 digits (e.g., 021234567)."
}
// Invalid prefix
{
"success": false,
"error": "Invalid number",
"message": "Invalid prefix. NZ mobile numbers must start with 02X (e.g., 021, 022, 027)."
}
New Zealand Phone Number Formats
Complete reference for +64 number formats and validation
Mobile Number Prefixes
NZ mobile numbers start with 02X followed by 7-9 digits:
| Prefix | Original Carrier | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 021 | One NZ (Vodafone) | 021 XXX XXXX |
| 022 | 2degrees | 022 XXX XXXX |
| 027 | Spark | 027 XXX XXXX |
| 028 | Spark / CallPlus | 028 XXX XXXXX |
| 029 | One NZ | 029 XXX XXXX |
Note: Due to number portability, the prefix no longer guarantees the current carrier. Use our API to check the actual carrier.
Geographic Area Codes
Landline numbers use single-digit area codes followed by 7 digits:
| Code | Region |
|---|---|
| 03 | South Island & Chatham Islands |
| 04 | Wellington metro & Kāpiti Coast |
| 06 | Lower North Island (Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne) |
| 07 | Central North Island (Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua) |
| 09 | Auckland & Northland |
Note: SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in New Zealand.
Accepted Number Formats
Our API accepts New Zealand numbers in multiple formats:
Local format
021 123 4567
No spaces
0211234567
International (E.164)
+64211234567
Without + prefix
64211234567
All formats are automatically normalized to E.164 format (64XXXXXXXXX) before lookup.
New Zealand Mobile Carriers
Market overview and carrier information
Spark
41%
Market Share (~2.4M subscribers)
Prefixes: 027, 028
Network Code: TCNZ
Sub-brands: Skinny Mobile
One NZ
38%
Market Share (~2.2M subscribers)
Prefixes: 021, 029
Network Code: VODANZ
Formerly: Vodafone NZ (rebranded April 2023)
2degrees
21%
Market Share (~1.6M subscribers)
Prefix: 022
Network Code: 2DNZL
Launched: 2009
Mobile Market Statistics
6.4M+
Mobile Subscriptions
120%+
Penetration Rate
2007
MNP Introduced
Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
How number porting works in New Zealand
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) has operated in New Zealand since 1 April 2007, allowing customers to switch carriers while keeping their phone number. This means the original number prefix (021, 022, 027, etc.) no longer reliably indicates the current carrier.
The Industry Portability Management System (IPMS) is the centralised database maintained by the Telecommunications Forum (TCF) that tracks all ported numbers. When a customer ports their number, the IPMS is updated to reflect the new carrier assignment.
Our Phone Number Validation API provides real-time access to IPMS data, allowing you to identify the current carrier for any NZ mobile number regardless of its original prefix assignment.
Why It Matters
Prefix-based routing is unreliable. A 027 number could now be on 2degrees, not Spark.
Real-Time Data
IPMS updates happen quickly after porting. Our API reflects these changes in real-time.
Cost Savings
Accurate carrier data enables optimal routing and prevents failed delivery charges.
Code Examples
Quick-start examples in popular languages
# Lookup a phone number
curl -X POST "https://websms.co.nz/api/connexus/number/lookup" \
-d "userId=user@example.com" \
-d "password=yourpassword" \
-d "number=0211234567"
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IPMS?
How accurate is the data?
Which carriers are supported?
Can I do bulk lookups?
Is there a free tier or trial?
What number formats are accepted?
Try Our Free Lookup Tool
Need to check a single number? Use our free online lookup tool to instantly check carrier information for any NZ mobile number.
Check a Number NowReady to Validate Numbers at Scale?
Get started with our Phone Number Validation API today. Simple integration, transparent pricing, real-time data.