About the Number Administration Deed

How it works

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.

Governance

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.

Nature of the NAD

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 Number Administrator

The day-to-day work of the NAD is undertaken by the Number Administrator. The Number Administrator's main role is to:

• Allocate numbering resources in accordance with the Number Allocation Rules;
• Research, develop and recommend new rules or changes to the Telecommunications Numbering Plan, in consultation with interested parties;
• Analyse the Number Register to forecast number usage and consumption and formulating proposed steps to ensure the numbering resource is effectively and efficiently maintained;
• Maintain relationships with equivalent administrations overseas. This includes acting as New Zealand's representative at meeting of the International Telecommunications Union's working group on Numbering, Naming and Addressing;
• Keep abreast of numbering issues, both within New Zealand and without and recommend any changes to the New Zealand methodologies to ensure alignment with international best practice.