# What's the difference between 028 and 021 numbers in New Zealand?

**Short answer:** Both 028 and 021 are New Zealand mobile-range numbers; the difference is who holds the number blocks. The national number register lists the 021 range as One New Zealand's, while the 028 range is split into small blocks held by many different carriers and service providers. Because numbers can be ported between networks, neither prefix reliably tells you which network a number is on today.

## Side by side

| | 021 | 028 |
|---|---|---|
| Number range | Mobile (02x) | Mobile (02x) |
| Who holds the blocks | One New Zealand | Many holders, including Compass Communications, Two Degrees Mobile, Devoli, Symbio Wholesale, One New Zealand, Voxbone, Blue Reach and NOW, with some blocks spare |
| International format | +64 21 … | +64 28 … |
| Tells you the current network? | No, because of number portability | No, because of number portability |

The Numbering Administration Deed defines a mobile number as "02N + XXXXXX[XX]". New allocations are 10 or 11 digits including the leading 0, and older allocations keep their original length.

## Writing them in international format

Drop the leading 0 and add +64. So 028 X XXX XXXX becomes +64 28 X XXX XXXX, and 021 XXX XXXX becomes +64 21 XXX XXXX. Stored in E.164 they have no spaces, for example +6428XXXXXXX.

## What Agentline NZ numbers are

Every Agentline NZ number is a NZ 028 business messaging number. It texts standard NZ mobiles on every network, including 021 and 028 numbers. Standard NZ mobile numbers only (020–029). No landlines, short codes, premium or international numbers. Your 028 number is set up within a few days of signup. Your email inbox works straight away.

It isn't a SIM-based phone plan, and You don't own the number and can't port it out in this version of the service.

## FAQ

### Is an 028 number a real mobile number?

It's in New Zealand's mobile number range (02x). Some 028 numbers are ordinary mobile phones and some, like Agentline NZ's, are business messaging numbers.

### Why do some 028 numbers look suspicious?

The national number register warns that one block, 0283, has been reported as used for audio text services by international parties, and says to be wary of fraud on that range.

## Related

- [Can an AI agent receive SMS verification codes in New Zealand?](/kb/can-an-ai-agent-receive-sms-verification-codes-in-nz)
- [What does the UEMA mean for SMS and email sent by AI agents?](/kb/uema-ai-agent-sms-and-email)
- [How long does it take to get my Agentline NZ number?](/help/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-my-number)

[Start free](https://agentline.nz/signup) · Start free with an email inbox (no card), or take a 7-day trial of Starter or Pro to get a number.