Emergency numbers and getting help

New Zealand Police; Health New Zealand Te Whatu OraVerified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

In New Zealand, call 111 if someone's life is in danger or a crime is happening now. When the call is answered, say if you need Police, Fire or Ambulance. For police matters that are not urgent, use 105. If you feel unwell and are not sure what to do, call Healthline. If you think someone has been poisoned, call the National Poisons Centre. Call 111 even if your English is not strong. Say the English name of your language to ask for language help.

Key facts

Emergency number (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 111. When the call is answered, you will be asked if you need Police, Fire or Ambulance²
Cost of calling 111: Free from payphones and mobile phones²
Police non-emergency number: 105. Works nationwide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can phone or report online²
105 online reporting: 105.police.govt.nz³
Non-urgent road situations: Dial *555 from a mobile phone (this does not replace 111)³
Crime Stoppers anonymous reporting: Free phone 0800 555 111³
Police bilingual call takers: Together they speak about 18 languages, including Mandarin²
Healthline: 0800 611 116, free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week⁴
Healthline interpreters: An interpreter can join the call. Up to 150 languages are available⁴
National Poisons Centre: 0800 764 766 (0800 POISON), free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week⁵
111 TXT emergency text service: For people who have difficulty hearing or speaking. You must register first²

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

Anyone in New Zealand can call 111 in an emergency. The Police say: whatever language you speak, call 111 in an emergency and 105 when it is not urgent.
Call 111 for Police when: someone is badly hurt or in danger; there is a serious and immediate risk to life or property; a crime is happening now, or the offender is still there or has just left.
Call 111 for Fire when: there is fire or smoke in your home (get out first and do not go back inside); you see or smell a building on fire; you see a car crash (including a vehicle on fire or people trapped); a pipe breaks and gas is leaking (first move to a place where you can't smell the gas); you or your home are in serious danger because of storm damage.
Call 111 for an Ambulance when someone has: difficulty breathing; chest pain (like pressure or squeezing in the chest); fainted or become unconscious; a life-threatening mental health crisis; signs of a stroke (sudden weakness, changes in vision, dizziness or difficulty speaking); severe pain anywhere; bleeding that won't stop.
If you are not sure whether it is an emergency but you are worried, you can call 111 and ask the call taker.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Make sure you are safe, then dial 111
You will first be asked which service you need. Say "Police", "Fire" or "Ambulance". More than one service may come.
If your English is not strong, say your language in English
The Police suggest you say the English name of your language, for example "Hindi", "Tagalog" or "Mandarin". The Police have bilingual call takers. A friend or family member can also interpret for you.
Answer the questions and stay on the line
For Police, you will be asked what happened, where, how long ago, and what is happening now. They will also check your name, address and contact details. For an ambulance, you will be asked for the exact address, the phone number you are calling from, what exactly happened, and how the patient is. Questions may be repeated, but help may already be on the way while you answer.
Can't talk? Don't hang up
Stay silent and follow the instructions from the call taker or the recorded menu. Press number keys when asked. Just stay on the line.
Use 105 for things that are not urgent
If something has already happened and Police do not need to come straight away (for example, you find out later that something was stolen), call 105 or report online at 105.police.govt.nz. You can also check or add to an earlier report online.
Not sure about a health problem? Call Healthline
Call 0800 611 116. Experienced nurses and paramedics will give you advice and tell you what to do next. If you need an interpreter, say "interpreter" and the language you want.
If you think someone has been poisoned, call the Poisons Centre
Call 0800 764 766 for advice. Call 111 if the person is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or looks very sick, or if the Poisons Centre tells you to call an ambulance. When the ambulance arrives, give them the container of the poison.

What should I watch out for?

Don't avoid calling 111 because of your English. First say "Police", "Fire" or "Ambulance", then say the English name of your language.
Giving a clear address is the most important thing: street number and name, nearest intersection, and town or city. In rural areas, give the property name.
Dial *555 from a mobile for traffic situations that are not serious. Examples are a minor crash with no injuries, ongoing dangerous driving, traffic congestion, a broken-down vehicle, or something blocking the road. If anyone is hurt or in danger, still call 111.
You can give information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers (0800 555 111). Officially, calls cannot be traced.
If you think someone has been poisoned, do not make them vomit and do not give them anything to eat or drink, unless the Poisons Centre or a health professional tells you to.
If you have difficulty hearing or speaking, register for the 111 TXT emergency text service on the Police website before you need it. Healthline can also support you through NZ Relay.
If you need to talk to someone about mental health, the government website lists the Mental Health Support Line (1737.org.nz).
The Police website has a New arrivals section (police.govt.nz) with translated information, for example a Chinese-language page.
This page is a summary of public information only. In an emergency, always follow the call taker's instructions.

Common questions

What is the emergency number in New Zealand?

The emergency number in New Zealand is 111. When the call is answered, you will be asked if you need Police, Fire or Ambulance. Call 111 if someone's life is in danger or a crime is happening now. If you are not sure whether it is an emergency but you are worried, you can call 111 and ask the call taker.

Do I call 111 for an ambulance? Is it free to call?

Yes, call 111 and say "Ambulance" when the call is answered. Calling 111 is free from payphones and mobile phones. Call for an ambulance when someone has difficulty breathing, chest pain, has fainted or is unconscious, has signs of a stroke, severe pain, bleeding that won't stop, or a life-threatening mental health crisis.

My English is not good. What do I do when I call 111?

Call 111 anyway. First say "Police", "Fire" or "Ambulance", then say the English name of your language, for example "Hindi", "Tagalog" or "Mandarin". The Police have bilingual call takers who together speak about 18 languages, including Mandarin. A friend or family member can also interpret for you.

My car was stolen or my house was broken into, but it already happened. Who do I call?

Call 105, the Police non-emergency number, or report online at 105.police.govt.nz. 105 works nationwide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Use 111 instead if a crime is happening now, or the offender is still there or has just left.

My child has a fever at night and I don't know if we need the emergency department. Who can I call for advice?

Call Healthline on 0800 611 116. It is free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Experienced nurses and paramedics will give you advice and tell you what to do next. If you need an interpreter, say "interpreter" and the language you want. Call 111 if your child has difficulty breathing or becomes unconscious.

My child swallowed dishwashing liquid or medicine. What number do I call?

Call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766 (0800 POISON). It is free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 111 if your child is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or looks very sick. Do not make them vomit or give them anything to eat or drink unless the Poisons Centre or a health professional tells you to.

How can a deaf person, or someone who can't speak easily, contact emergency services?

They can use the 111 TXT emergency text service, but they must register first on the Police website, before they need it. If you call 111 and can't talk, don't hang up. Stay on the line and press number keys when asked. Healthline can also support you through NZ Relay.

I saw a broken-down car or a dangerous driver on the motorway. What number do I call?

Dial *555 from a mobile phone for traffic situations that are not serious, such as a broken-down vehicle or ongoing dangerous driving. *555 does not replace 111. If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 111.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

111 emergency servicegovt.nz (Department of Internal Affairs) · govt.nz
Communicating with PoliceNew Zealand Police · police.govt.nz
How to report a crime or incidentNew Zealand Police · police.govt.nz
HealthlineHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
Chemical poisoningHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz

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