How Does Emergency Numbers Work in New Zealand?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Africa & Oceania
1The Quick Answer
Dial 111 for all emergencies (police, ambulance, fire); dial 105 for non-urgent police matters.
2What You Need to Know
New Zealand's single emergency number is 111, connecting to police, ambulance, and fire services. For non-emergency police reports (theft, minor incidents), call 105 or report online at police.govt.nz. Mobile coverage in remote areas such as Fiordland, the West Coast, and back-country tracks can be non-existent. Trampers and adventurers should register their intentions with AdventureSmart (adventuresmart.nz) and carry a personal locator beacon (PLB), which can be hired inexpensively from DOC visitor centres. Mountain Search and Rescue is volunteer-run and excellent, but activation is expensive without insurance.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Register your tramp or backcountry trip at adventuresmart.nz before heading into remote areas
- 2Hire a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) from DOC visitor centres for NZD 5–10 per day in areas with no cell coverage
- 3The 105 non-emergency police line is useful for reporting minor theft or incidents that don't need an immediate response
Important Warning
Mobile phone coverage disappears quickly outside towns and major roads. Do not rely on your phone as a safety device in New Zealand's national parks and back-country areas — carry a PLB.
How does this compare?
Emergency Numbers rules in nearby and similar countries:
Police: 10111; Ambulance: 10177; All services from mobile: 112; Cape Town tourism safety line: 021 480 7700.
Police: 119; Ambulance: 102; Fire: 118; Coast Guard: 191.
Police: 999 or 0800 720 999 (free); mobile emergency: 112; AMREF Flying Doctors safari evacuation: +254 20 6000 090.
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