Want to connect with someone in the stunning landscapes of New Zealand from the United States using your Verizon service? You're in the right place! Calling internationally can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, but with this detailed guide, we'll make sure your call to New Zealand goes through without a hitch.
Getting Ready: What You Need Before You Dial
Before you even touch your phone, there are a few crucial pieces of information you'll need. Gather these up, and you'll be well on your way to a successful call.
The full New Zealand phone number (including the local area code).
Your Verizon account details (to check international calling options and rates).
A pen and paper or a digital note-taking app to jot down important numbers and information.
Step 1: Understand the Basics of International Dialing
Alright, let's kick things off! The first and most vital step is understanding the universal structure of an international phone call. It's not just punching in a number; there's a specific sequence you need to follow.
The International Calling Formula
Every international call from the US follows a general pattern: US Exit Code + Country Code + Area Code (if applicable) + Local Phone Number
Let's break down what each of these means for calling New Zealand from the US with Verizon.
Step 2: Dial the US Exit Code
The US Exit Code tells your phone carrier that you're making an international call, indicating you're "exiting" the US phone network.
For Most Phones: "011" or "+"
For landlines and most mobile phones: The standard US exit code is 011. You'll dial this first.
For smartphones: Many modern smartphones allow you to simply press and hold the 0 key until a + symbol appears. This + automatically acts as the international access code, replacing "011" and making it super convenient for mobile users.
Step 3: Enter New Zealand's Country Code
Next up, you need to tell the network which country you're trying to reach.
New Zealand's Country Code: "64"
New Zealand's country code is 64. So, after your US exit code (011 or +), you'll dial 64.
Example so far:
011 64or+64
Step 4: Add the Area Code (if applicable)
New Zealand uses area codes for landline numbers. These are typically single digits (like 3, 4, 6, 7, 9) and direct your call to a specific region within New Zealand.
Common New Zealand Area Codes:
Here are some of the most common New Zealand area codes:
Auckland: 9
Wellington Region: 4
Christchurch/South Island: 3
Hamilton/Central & East North Island: 7
Napier/Hastings/Palmerston North/West North Island: 6
Important Note for Mobile Numbers:
New Zealand mobile numbers typically start with 2. When calling a New Zealand mobile number, you generally include the "2" as part of the number itself, not as a separate area code like for landlines. For instance, a mobile number might look like 02X XXX XXXX. When dialing from the US, you would drop the leading '0' and include the '2' after the country code.
Example for a landline: If you're calling a landline in Wellington, your sequence would be
011 64 4or+64 4.Example for a mobile number: If you're calling a mobile number, the format will often be
011 64 2X XXX XXXXor+64 2X XXX XXXX(where '2X' is the mobile prefix, like 021, 022, etc., but you drop the leading 0 for international dialing).
Step 5: Dial the Local New Zealand Phone Number
Finally, you'll dial the actual local phone number. This is the remaining digits of the New Zealand phone number you want to reach.
Putting It All Together (Examples):
Calling a New Zealand Landline (e.g., in Auckland, number 123-4567):
From a landline or standard mobile: 011 64 9 1234567
From a smartphone: +64 9 1234567
Calling a New Zealand Mobile Number (e.g., 021 987 6543):
From a landline or standard mobile: 011 64 21 9876543
From a smartphone: +64 21 9876543
Remember to drop the leading '0' from the New Zealand mobile number when dialing internationally.
Step 6: Consider the Time Difference!
This is a critical step for a successful and polite call. New Zealand is significantly ahead of the US in terms of time zones. Calling at the wrong time can result in waking someone up in the middle of the night!
New Zealand Time Zones:
New Zealand uses New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) which is UTC+12. During Daylight Saving (NZDT), it's UTC+13. The US has multiple time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, Hawaii).
General Time Difference (Approximate):
Eastern Standard Time (EST) to NZST: New Zealand is usually 16 hours ahead of EST.
Pacific Standard Time (PST) to NZST: New Zealand is usually 19 hours ahead of PST.
Best Time to Call:
To avoid calling at odd hours, aim to call New Zealand between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM New Zealand time. This generally corresponds to:
6:00 PM to 12:00 AM (midnight) EST
3:00 PM to 9:00 PM PST
Always double-check the current time in New Zealand before you call, especially during seasonal time changes!
Step 7: Check Your Verizon International Calling Plan & Rates
This is where Verizon comes in! International calls can be expensive if you're not on the right plan. Verizon offers several options for international calling.
Verizon International Calling Options:
Pay As You Go (Standard Rates): If you don't have an international plan, you'll be charged per minute at standard international long-distance rates. These can be quite high (e.g., $1.79 or more per minute to New Zealand for talk). This is generally not recommended for anything more than a very brief call.
Global Choice: This is an add-on plan that gives you a set number of international calling minutes to specific countries for a monthly fee. You might find New Zealand covered under one of their Global Choice bundles, offering a better per-minute rate.
Global Calling Plus: This plan offers unlimited calls to landlines in 60+ countries and mobile phones in 30+ countries for a monthly fee. It also provides discounted rates to many other countries. Check if New Zealand is included in the unlimited or discounted list.
TravelPass (for when you are traveling, not for calling from the US): This plan is for when you are outside the US and want to use your phone internationally. It's not directly for calling New Zealand from the US, but it's important to differentiate.
How to Check Your Verizon Plan and Add Services:
My Verizon App or Website: Log in to your My Verizon account. You can usually find information about your current plan and add-ons under "Account" or "Plans & Services."
Call Verizon Customer Service: Dial *611 from your Verizon phone or 1-800-922-0204 from any phone. Explain that you want to call New Zealand and inquire about the best international calling options and rates.
Verizon's International Calling Page: Visit Verizon's official website and navigate to their international calling section. They have tools where you can enter the country you want to call (New Zealand) and see the available plans and rates.
Pro Tip: If you plan to call New Zealand frequently, adding an international calling plan is almost always more cost-effective than paying per minute.
Step 8: Make the Call!
You've got all the information, you've checked your plan, and you're ready to dial!
The Dialing Sequence:
From a landline or non-smartphone: Dial
011(US Exit Code) +64(New Zealand Country Code) +Area Code(if landline) or2(for mobile prefix) +Local Number.From a smartphone: Press and hold
0until+appears +64(New Zealand Country Code) +Area Code(if landline) or2(for mobile prefix) +Local Number.
Listen for the dialing tones and then the ring. Congratulations! You're now connected to New Zealand.
Step 9: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, things don't go perfectly. Here are a few common hiccups and how to troubleshoot them:
A. Call Not Going Through:
Double-check the number: Carefully review every digit you've dialed. A single wrong number can prevent the call from connecting.
Verify international calling is enabled: As mentioned in Step 7, confirm with Verizon that international direct dialing is activated on your account.
Check your balance/credit: If you're on a prepaid plan or have a credit limit, ensure you have sufficient funds.
B. Poor Call Quality:
Network signal: If calling from a mobile, check your signal strength. A weak signal can lead to dropped calls or poor audio.
Internet connection (if using Wi-Fi Calling): If you're using Verizon's Wi-Fi Calling feature, ensure you have a strong and stable internet connection.
Try again: Sometimes, a quick redial can resolve temporary network glitches.
Related FAQ Questions
How to check Verizon international calling rates for New Zealand?
You can check Verizon's international calling rates by logging into your My Verizon account online or through the My Verizon app, visiting the "International" section of their website, or by calling Verizon Customer Service at *611.
How to add an international calling plan to my Verizon account for New Zealand?
You can add an international calling plan like Global Choice or Global Calling Plus via the My Verizon app or website, or by contacting Verizon Customer Service directly. Texting "TRAVEL" to 4004 can also add TravelPass if you are traveling internationally.
How to dial a New Zealand mobile number from the US with Verizon?
To dial a New Zealand mobile number from the US with Verizon, dial 011 (or + on a smartphone) + 64 (New Zealand country code) + 2 (mobile prefix, dropping the leading 0 from the New Zealand number) + the remaining digits of the mobile number.
How to find New Zealand area codes for landlines?
Common New Zealand area codes include 9 (Auckland), 4 (Wellington), 3 (Christchurch/South Island), 7 (Hamilton), and 6 (Napier/Hastings/Palmerston North). You can find a comprehensive list on various online international dialing code directories or Wikipedia.
How to avoid high costs when calling New Zealand from the US on Verizon?
To avoid high costs, always add an international calling plan from Verizon if you plan to make more than a very short call. Options like Global Choice or Global Calling Plus offer much better rates than standard pay-as-you-go.
How to know the best time to call New Zealand from my US location?
New Zealand is generally 16-19 hours ahead of US time zones (e.g., 16 hours ahead of EST). Use an online time zone converter or simply search "current time in New Zealand" and compare it to your local time to find a suitable calling window (ideally 10 AM - 4 PM New Zealand time).
How to use Wi-Fi Calling to call New Zealand from the US on Verizon?
If Wi-Fi Calling is enabled on your Verizon device, your phone will automatically use Wi-Fi for calls when a strong Wi-Fi signal is available. The dialing procedure remains the same (011 64... or +64...). Be aware that international charges may still apply for calls to New Zealand even over Wi-Fi, depending on your plan.
How to dial a New Zealand toll-free number from the US with Verizon?
To dial a New Zealand toll-free number (which typically starts with 0508 or 0800), you would dial 011 (or +) + 64 + the eight-digit toll-free number (dropping the leading 0). Be aware that "toll-free" usually applies within New Zealand, and you may still incur international calling charges from the US.
How to get help from Verizon while trying to call New Zealand?
If you encounter issues, you can call Verizon Customer Service by dialing *611 from your Verizon phone or 1-800-922-0204 from any other phone. They can help troubleshoot dialing issues or clarify plan details.
How to confirm if my Verizon phone is "global ready" for international calls?
Most modern smartphones on Verizon are global ready. You can confirm by checking your device specifications on Verizon's website or by contacting customer service. If your device supports GSM networks, it's typically global ready.
