General overview of NAD and the Number Administrator
Parties to the NAD agree to adhere to the NAD's rules and principles and in exchange can apply for telephone numbers to provide services to end-users. If a new subdivision is created, or a brand new type of service invented, providers look to the NAD to supply fresh numbers to meet that demand. Telecommunications providers are free to wholesale telephone numbers to other providers, though they remain ultimately responsible for that number's use through their allocation under the NAD. The NAD is the only way a New Zealand provider can obtain new number ranges to activate and provide services. New Zealand generally has an ample supply of numbers to meet future demands, but some number ranges are in higher demand and have smaller supplies than others. The NAD maintains a careful watch over these ranges to ensure that numbers are administered with the best interest of end users in mind.
The NAD is governed by the NAD Management Committee, which consists of the representatives from all NAD Parties, an Independent Chair, Number Administrator and a User Representative. Each NAD Party holds one vote on the NAD Management Committee. The Independent Chair, Number Administrator and User Representative are all non-voting members. You can see the list of current members and the non-voting positions, here. The NAD maintains close links with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and well as the Commerce Commission to ensure that Government objectives are met with the efficient management of New Zealand's numbering resources.
The NAD is not a legal entity such as a company or incorporated society. The NAD is a multilateral agreement, which establishes a governance body (the Management Committee) to oversee number administration. The NAD was created in 2000 following discussions between the parties and the Government where it was agreed that the numbering mechanism called the NAD would be established by the NAD Deed.
The day-to-day work of the NAD is undertaken by the Number Administrator. The Number Administrator's main role is to: