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.

$0.005

Per Lookup

+ GST

IPMS

Real-Time Data

Official NZ database

99.9%

API Uptime

Reliable service

All

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

$0.005

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

API Request Example
// 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"
}
Error Response Examples (400 Bad Request)
// 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
021One NZ (Vodafone)021 XXX XXXX
0222degrees022 XXX XXXX
027Spark027 XXX XXXX
028Spark / CallPlus028 XXX XXXXX
029One NZ029 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
03South Island & Chatham Islands
04Wellington metro & Kāpiti Coast
06Lower North Island (Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne)
07Central North Island (Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua)
09Auckland & 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 NZ

Spark

41%

Market Share (~2.4M subscribers)

Prefixes: 027, 028

Network Code: TCNZ

Sub-brands: Skinny Mobile

One NZ

One NZ

38%

Market Share (~2.2M subscribers)

Prefixes: 021, 029

Network Code: VODANZ

Formerly: Vodafone NZ (rebranded April 2023)

2degrees

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

cURL
# 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?
IPMS (Industry Portability Management System) is the central database in New Zealand that tracks mobile number portability. When a customer ports their number from one carrier to another, the IPMS database is updated to reflect this change. Our API provides real-time access to this information.
How accurate is the data?
Our API connects directly to the official IPMS database, providing accurate carrier information for all New Zealand mobile numbers. The data is updated in real-time as numbers are ported between carriers.
Which carriers are supported?
We support all New Zealand mobile network operators including Spark, One NZ (formerly Vodafone), 2degrees, Skinny, and all other MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) operating on these networks.
Can I do bulk lookups?
Yes, you can perform bulk lookups by making multiple API requests. For very high-volume requirements, contact us to discuss batch processing options and volume pricing.
Is there a free tier or trial?
We offer a free single-number lookup tool at /number-portability/ for testing. For API access, contact us to discuss trial options for your use case.
What number formats are accepted?
The API accepts New Zealand mobile numbers in various formats including local format (021234567) and international format (6421234567 or +6421234567). Numbers are automatically normalized before lookup.

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 Now

Ready to Validate Numbers at Scale?

Get started with our Phone Number Validation API today. Simple integration, transparent pricing, real-time data.