SERVICES | SMS | SHORT CODES

Boost Your Brand with a Dedicated SMS Short Code

Get a dedicated 4-digit or 6-digit SMS short code that's yours alone, matched to how you'll use it.

A dedicated SMS short code is a short, memorable number that only your business uses. Customers can text it to enter a promotion, ask for information, or send feedback.

You control how the number is used, with clear pricing and support based in New Zealand.

Send SMS using a short code number

How Does a Dedicated Short Code Work?

A dedicated short code is a unique 4-digit or 6-digit text number assigned exclusively to your business for SMS messaging with New Zealand mobiles.

Because the number is yours alone, you can run several campaigns at once without them clashing. It suits businesses that want a recognisable number and messaging that stays simple to manage.

Exclusive Use

Your short code is unique to your business, ensuring your customers always reach you directly.

Brand Recognition

A fixed, memorable number builds trust and reinforces your brand.

Two-Way Communication

Allow mobiles to text you anytime, making it easy for them to interact with your business.

NZ Mobile Support

Communicate reliably with New Zealand mobiles.

Consistent Sending Number

Your sending number stays the same, so recipients learn to recognise it.

Unlimited SMS Keywords

Set up keyword campaigns: "Text INFO to learn more"

Whitelisted URL Sending

Send links without whitelisting them first, pointing to your website or app.

Automated Opt-Outs

Stay Spam Act compliant and automatically track Stop, Unsubscribe and OptOut messages.

Promotions & Competitions

Using an Absorb Costs Short Code, send marketing and promotional SMS messages to New Zealand mobiles.

Choose the Right Solution:

Standard vs Free-To-Text

We offer two reply-cost models for dedicated SMS short codes. These apply to both 4-digit and 6-digit codes:

'Standard' for General Use-Cases

Outbound texts: You pay for any messages sent to your audience.

Inbound texts: Free for you to receive. The sender (your audience) covers the cost of their messages.

If you're looking to focus on sending messages with little requirement for receiving inbound messages.

SMS Alert Message
Marketing SMS Message

'Free-To-Text' for Marketing & High Response Use-Cases (FTEU)

Outbound texts: You pay for any messages sent to your audience.

Inbound texts: You also pay for the messages you receive. It's free for mobiles.

If you're looking to focus on both sending messages and getting more replies by removing the cost for the mobile.

Consideration: Be aware that you will be liable for all received messages, with no controls for blocking incoming texts. Promotional messaging in New Zealand encourages the use of a Free-To-Text (FTEU) short code number.

Choose the Right Number:

4-Digit vs 6-Digit

A 4-digit and a 6-digit short code can both be dedicated to your business. The main difference is memorability and cost: 4-digit codes are the premium option for brand-led campaigns, while 6-digit codes are a lower-cost way to get the same dedicated inbound routing and keyword control.

Read the full short code guide

Gold Standard

4-Digit Short Codes

$299 month ($600 setup)

Best when the number itself is part of the campaign. A shorter code is easier to remember, easier to promote in-store, on radio, on signage, or in a simple call-to-action like Text WIN to 4567.

  • Premium brand recall
  • Strong fit for public campaigns
  • Higher setup and monthly cost
Silver Standard

6-Digit Short Codes

$89 month ($300 setup)

Best when you need a dedicated number, keywords, and inbound-initiated SMS, but the code does not need to be a premium brand asset. It is a practical option for regular business messaging.

  • Lower setup and monthly cost
  • Still dedicated to your business
  • Good fit for operational campaigns

Deciding Which Short Code Type?

Pick the digit length first, then choose who pays when a mobile texts in.

4-digit Standard Rate

Choose this when the number should be memorable, but replies are occasional or mainly follow an outbound message.

4-digit Free-to-Text

Choose this for high-profile marketing, competitions, opt-outs, and campaigns where reply rate matters.

6-digit Standard Rate

Choose this when you need your own dedicated SMS number and unlimited keywords at the lowest ongoing cost.

6-digit Free-to-Text

Choose this when replies should be free for mobiles, but a 4-digit branded code is more than the campaign needs.

  1. Are you sending promotional SMS, running competitions, or relying on opt-outs/replies?Use a 4-digit or 6-digit Free-to-Text.
  2. Will people need to remember the code from advertising, signage, radio, or packaging?Use a 4-digit code.
  3. Is this mostly for owned-channel workflows, support, operational messaging, or budget-sensitive campaigns?Use a 6-digit code.
  4. Are replies rare, expected only after you send first, or acceptable at the mobile's standard charge?Standard Rate is suitable.

Pricing

* SMS Keyword Campaigns are excluded from the standard $20 Plan:

Feature Gold 4-Digit
Standard Rate		 Gold 4-Digit
Free-to-Text		 Silver 6-Digit
Standard Rate		 Silver 6-Digit
Free-to-Text
Setup Time 4 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks
Setup Fee (One-time) $600 $600 $300 $300
Monthly Fee $299 $299 $89 $89
SMS Sent (per SMS Part) $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10
SMS Received (per SMS Part) Free for you (mobile pays $0.20) $0.10 (free for the mobile) Free for you (mobile pays $0.20) $0.10 (free for the mobile)
Keyword Allowance Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Exclusive Use
Best Fit Memorable sender for alerts, reminders, and reply workflows. Premium campaigns where mobile replies should be free. Dedicated routing and keywords at the lowest monthly cost. Lower-cost marketing, opt-out, and response campaigns.
NZD excl. GST. Message costs reference one SMS Part on the Starter Plan.

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