111 Contact Code

At Need a Nerd, supporting all customers, especially those most vulnerable is a crucial part of the service we provide.

The 111 Contact Code ensures that people who are more likely to need to contact 111, and who have a phone service that doesn’t work in a power failure (with no other means of contacting 111 at their premises), are provided with a means to contact the 111-emergency service. NerdNet is committed to the health and safety of its customers, and has collaborated with the New Zealand Commerce Commission and the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum to establish this code.


At time of signup, we will ask you whether you believe you are a vulnerable customer as per the below definitions.

What is a vulnerable customer?

Defined under the 111 Contact Code, you might be entitled to an alternate means to contact 111 in a power cut at no cost to you, and ensuring your phone services are not disconnected. To qualify as a vulnerable customer, you must be at particular risk of requiring 111 services, such as:

  • A known applicable medical condition

  • Be exposed to a family violence situation

  • Have certain disabilities

To be classed as a vulnerable customer, you will need to show supporting evidence of the above in the form of at least 1 of the below:

  • A completed Electricity Authority dependent customer notice, which includes certification from a DHB, private hospital, or GP.

  • Protection orders.

  • A letter from a health practitioner (e.g. GP)

  • Documentation of impairment (e.g., ID card)

If you, or someone you know with a NerdNet Broadband service is a vulnerable customer, this brings into force special requirements under our obligations to the Commerce Commission’s 111 Contact Code, to ensure our most vulnerable customers can contact emergency services when required, even in the event of a power outage.

NerdNet is committed to ensuring that supply of retail landline services will be provided to customers, including the most vulnerable consumers.

How to apply, or gather further information.

To learn more, and to apply as a vulnerable customer under the 111 Contact Code, please click below to download our application pack. and return it to hello@needanerd.nz.

Services provided by NerdNet Broadband that may not function during a power failure.

The below telecommunications services provided by Need a Nerd Broadband may not function during a power failure at the affected property.

  • NerdNet Fibre Services

  • NerdNet Wireless and Fixed Wireless Services

  • Nerd a Nerd Cloud PBX

  • Nerd a Nerd SIP Trunks

  • Nerd a Nerd SIP Services

  • Nerd a Nerd phone services (e.g. a phone line provided alongside your broadband)

In addition to the above, the following devices at your premises may not function during a power failure:

  • Wireless phone handsets

  • PABX systems

  • Medical alarms

This may mean you are unable to contact the 111 Emergency service using these telecommunications services.

Alternative means of contacting 111 during a power failure.

Please use a mobile phone to dial 111 in the even of an emergency. If you do not have access to a mobile phone at the property you reside, you may be eligible to register as a vulnerable customer using the form linked above to arrange an alternate option of contacting 111 during a power cut.