Area Code 325 – South Island
The phone area code for South Island is 325 (international format +64325). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 325
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of South Island
Geographic Overview
New Zealand's area code +64 325 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the South Island, specifically serving the West Coast region. This code covers the town of Hokitika and its surrounding districts, including the Hokitika Gorge and Lake Kaniere areas. As a geographic allocation, the prefix is tied to a physical exchange and is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, although it may also be used by VoIP providers for numbers associated with that locality.
Dialing Formats
When calling a number in this region from within New Zealand, you must use the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. For example, to call a local Hokitika number, you would dial:
- 03 25X XXXX (national format)
From outside New Zealand, the international format requires the country code +64, dropping the leading 0 of the trunk prefix. Thus, the same number would be dialed as:
- +64 3 25X XXXX (international format)
Note that the area code is often written as 03 for national dialing, but the international prefix is +64 3.
Geographic Coverage and Administration
The +64 325 code is part of the larger 03 area code region, which covers the entire South Island. The West Coast region is administratively part of the West Coast Regional Council and is known for its rugged natural beauty, including glaciers and rainforests. Hokitika, the main town served by this exchange, is a key service center for the region's tourism and greenstone (pounamu) industries.
Overlays and Numbering
Currently, there are no overlay codes for the 03 region, meaning that the 03 area code is the sole geographic code for the South Island. Subscriber numbers within the 325 prefix are typically seven digits long, but the total length of a national significant number (NSN) is eight digits (including the leading 0). This structure complies with New Zealand's numbering plan, which uses a variable NSN length of 8 to 9 digits for geographic numbers.
Caller Instructions
For local callers within the same area code, it is possible to dial only the subscriber number without the area code in some cases, but it is recommended to always use the full national format to avoid confusion. For international callers, always use the +64 country code and omit the leading zero. Calls to this geographic number are typically charged at standard landline rates, depending on the caller's service provider.