By the 1970s, New Zealand's telephone network consisted primarily of step-by-step telephone exchanges or, in the main centres, a mixture of rotary and step-by-step exchanges, with a few rural areas still served by manual exchanges. Local telephone number lengths varied from 3 to 6 digits depending on the size of exchange and population of the local calling area.
By the 1970s, New Zealand's telephone network was characterized by a mix of step-by-step and rotary exchanges in larger cities, with manual exchanges still serving some rural areas. Local phone numbers were determined by the size of the exchange and the population served, ranging from 3 to 6 digits.