NZ Mobile Prefix
027 Number Lookup
027 is New Zealand's oldest mobile prefix — held primarily by Spark (formerly Telecom NZ). Look up any 027 number to see the current carrier, including ported numbers.
Check a 027 Number
Enter any NZ 027 mobile number to identify the current carrier. We check the IPMS register in real time.
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027 in one sentence
027 is the original New Zealand mobile prefix, with sub-blocks 0271 through 0279 held by Spark (formerly Telecom NZ). The 0270 sub-block is a separate allocation held by One NZ. As with all NZ mobile numbers, individual 027 numbers can be ported to any carrier — always check the live IPMS data.
027 Number Ranges
Every 027 sub-block on the Number Administration Deed register. Note the 0270 exception held by One NZ.
| Prefix | Original carrier | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 0270 | One NZ | 10 digits |
| 0271 | Spark | 10 digits |
| 0272 | Spark | 10 digits |
| 0273 | Spark | 10 digits |
| 0274 | Spark | 10 digits |
| 0275 | Spark | 10 digits |
| 0276 | Spark | 10 digits |
| 0277 | Spark | 10 digits |
| 0278 | Spark | 10 digits |
| 0279 | Spark | 10 digits |
Source: NAD register. The 0270 sub-block (highlighted) is the only 027 NDC allocated outside Spark.
About the 027 mobile prefix
027 is New Zealand's original mobile prefix, allocated to Telecom New Zealand when the country's first cellular network — the AMPS analogue service — launched in 1987. The prefix carried forward through the GSM transition in the 1990s and remains the primary Spark mobile range today. Telecom NZ rebranded to Spark on 8 August 2014; the network, number ranges, and SMPP carrier identifier (TCNZ) all continued unchanged under the new brand.
Inside the 027 range, sub-blocks 0271 through 0279 are held by Spark — that's 90% of all 027 numbers. 0274 is one of the most recognisable Spark sub-blocks because it was the most heavily issued during Telecom's GSM rollout in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The exception inside the 027 range is 0270, a separate NDC allocation held by One NZ (formerly Vodafone) — a 0270 number originates on the One NZ network, not Spark.
All current 027 numbers are 10 digits in length (027 XXX XXXX). Some older 027 numbers issued before the 2008 NAD standardisation are 8 or 9 digits — these legacy allocations remain valid and route correctly. As with all NZ mobile numbers, individual 027 numbers can be ported between Spark, One NZ, 2degrees and other carriers, so the prefix alone is not a reliable indicator of the current carrier.
Need to send SMS to 027 numbers?
WebSMS has a direct carrier route to Spark NZ — and automatically routes the rare 0270 number to One NZ. Ported numbers are handled the same way via the IPMS register. Pay-as-you-go from 8c per message.
027 Number FAQ
What carrier is a 027 number?
027 is primarily a Spark prefix — sub-blocks 0271 through 0279 are all held by Spark NZ (formerly Telecom New Zealand). The 0270 sub-block is the exception, held by One NZ. Individual numbers can be ported, so use the lookup form above to check the current carrier.
Is 027 the same as Telecom?
Yes. 027 was Telecom New Zealand's mobile prefix until Telecom rebranded to Spark in 2014. The network, number ranges, and carrier code (TCNZ) are unchanged — just a new brand.
Is 0270 a Spark or One NZ number?
0270 is allocated to One NZ — it's the one exception inside the 027 range. Despite starting with "027", a 0270 number originates on the One NZ network rather than Spark.
Are 0274 numbers older or different?
0274 is a Spark sub-block — same allocation as 0271, 0272, etc. It's slightly more recognisable because Telecom issued large volumes of 0274 numbers during the 1990s GSM rollout, but technically it's no different from the other Spark 027 sub-blocks.
How do I send a text to a 027 number?
Sign up to WebSMS and send. We route via the direct Spark SMPP connection (or to One NZ for 0270 / ported-away numbers). More on SMS to Spark →