You can send Two-Way SMS in New Zealand by using short codes.
MMS isn't supported in this country.
Available Sender IDs
You can send with a registered dedicated short code in New Zealand.
Registration and fees apply.
New 5 & 6-Digit Short Codes Available - In addition to the traditional 4-digit short codes, new 5 and 6-digit options are now available. These longer codes are a more affordable way to get a dedicated number.
Short codes
You must register your own dedicated short code before sending any messages.
Short code set up can take up to 4–6 weeks to provision with the New Zealand carriers.
Short code options
4, 5 & 6 digit short codes are available in the following options:
Standard Rate Dedicated Short codes
Used for service-based (transactional) messages such as appointment reminders. Recipients are charged standard SMS rates to reply.
Zero-Rated Dedicated Short codes
Used for marketing messages, where the opt-out must be free of charge to the recipient.
Short code Pricing
| 4 digit | 5 digit | 6 digit |
Setup fee | $676 | $85 | $65 |
Monthly fee | $338 | $85 | $65 |
*Pricing is shown in NZD
How to register a short code in New Zealand
To register a dedicated short code:
Create a ClickSend account
Select New Zealand as a sending country
Go to the top-right corner of the dashboard → Global Sending
From the dropdown, select “Registration needed to send messages”
Choose Register New Zealand
Complete the Jotform
Once submitted, someone from our Sales team will be in touch to discuss your short code options and the associated fees.
Rules and best practices
Sender and timing requirements
Only send messages during the recipient’s local daytime hours, unless urgent. Do not send messages to users on do-not-call or do-not-disturb registries.
The sender must be clearly identified at the beginning of the message.
If the message includes a call to action that incurs charges (e.g. replies), the user must be clearly informed.
Opt-in
Text messages cannot be sent to handsets that have not opted in to receive messages.
You must be able to demonstrate proof of customer opt-in, in the event of an operator audit or a user complaint.
Opt-out
All marketing messages must include a free opt-out at the end of the message, using the same contact method (e.g. SMS reply).
Include clear keywords like HELP or STOP in the recipient’s local language.
Once a user unsubscribes, you are responsible for removing them from your database.
Important regulation information
The TCF
The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF) is a member organisation, representing the majority of telecommunications providers in New Zealand (over 95% by revenue share). You can read TCF regulation here.
Their members pay for their services, which include public good initiatives, disputes resolution services, logistical processes, and consumer education, so consumers can access them for free.
The forum provides neutral, independent information about New Zealand telecommunications products and services and how the industry works in New Zealand.
The DIA
The Department of Internal Affairs serves and connects people, communities, and government to build a safe, prosperous,
The UEMA
The Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act (UEMA), also called the anti-spam law, makes it illegal to send spam to, from or within New Zealand, or using harvesting software to create address lists to send unsolicited commercial electronic messages, eg emails or text messages. You can read more about this here.
On September 5th 2007, the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 came into force. The Act prohibits the sending of unsolicited commercial electronic messages with a NZ link. It also requires all commercial electronic messages to include information about who authorised the message and to provide a functional unsubscribe facility. Finally, it prohibits address harvesting for the purpose of unsolicited commercial messages.
Content guidelines
Before you start sending, carefully review our sending guidelines to understand the types of messages you can't send. Additionally, you must adhere to the specific local regulations outlined below:
No Political
No Gambling