Less technical overview of the NAD, the Telecommunications Numbering Plan and what we do
The NAD is a collective, multiparty deed established by the New Zealand telecommunications carriers in 2000 with the approval of the Government and the Commerce Commission. The NAD administers New Zealand's national telephone numbering resources, including all local numbers (03, 04, 06, 07 and 09), mobile numbers (02X), free phone (0800 and 0508), premium rate (0900) and special service numbers (01XY and 10XY), amongst others. 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.
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, on our Current Members page.
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 day-to-day work of the NAD is undertaken by the Number Administrator and their duties encapsulates what the NAD does. The Number Administrator's main role is to:
Allocate numbering resources, ie new telephone numbers, 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 formulate 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 to the International Telecommunications Union's working group on Numbering, Naming and Addressing; and,
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.
The NAD sets out a number of General and Numbering Principles that apply to the NAD Management Committee, Number Administrator and Independent Chair. All parties are required to familiarise themselves with the NAD Principles and agree to adhere to these everytime they apply for new numbers.
The very first principle is that numbering must be administered for the long term benefit of end users.
All persons exercising functions, powers and responsibilities under the Deed, including the Management Committee, the Independent Chair, the Number Administrator, and any Arbitrator appointed under the Deed, must act consistently with the General Principles. No provisions of the Deed may be amended if the amendment contravenes any of the General Principles. For further information, you can review a copy of the Deed on our Resources page.