InternetNZ is causing confusion

Statement made by Tim Johnson, Chief Executive Officer Dot Kiwi Ltd

InternetNZ is causing confusion with its approval of new second level domain .kiwi.nz.

Its announcement today is confusing and is not in the best interest of Kiwis, internet users or in fact the Internet in New Zealand and I believe many others share our view.

Why would potential registrants want .kiwi.nz when they could have .kiwi?

Our opposition to InternetNZ's confusing introduction of .kiwi.nzis well documented in repeated submissions we have made to them. Those submissions have been ignored. There will now be widespread confusion with the .kiwi.nz domain and the well-advertised forthcoming launch of the .kiwi domain.

We still await an explanation on how the creation of the .kiwi.nz domain is in the best interest of the Internet in New Zealand, when clearly there will be significant public confusion.

It is obvious and disappointing that the .kiwi.nz domain will cause and leverage the confusion between the more compelling, appealing and straight-forward .kiwi and the extended .kiwi.nz domain name.

Furthermore, it is contradictory to add further 2LDs* while simultaneously consider moving away from 2LDs and allowing registration directly in .nz. This will only add to the confusion between the two “Kiwis”.

We are hugely disappointed with the total lack of common sense in this decision to create .kiwi.nz.

Internet users and Kiwis can register their interest for the easier and more innovative.kiwi domain at www.dot-kiwi.com .

– Ends –
*Note:
• 2LD is a Second Level Domain.kiwi.nz is a 2LD.
• gTLD is a new generic Top Level Domain and .kiwi is one of these.

ABOUT DOT KIWI LIMITED
Dot Kiwi Limited was born when a group of New Zealand businessmen came together to help raise funds for a devastated Christchurch, following the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in February, 2011. The founders were so deeply affected by the damage and loss of life the disaster caused, that they committed themselves to using their significant international and local business experience to assist the region.

Dot Kiwi is applying to ICANN for license of the .kiwi gTLD. .kiwi will bring a completely new option to the market for customers wishing to be associated with New Zealand on the internet, or via their email address. The .kiwi gTLD will offer New Zealand businesses greater branding creativity and the opportunity to differentiate themselves from competitors. It will be a domain for New Zealand, providing a fresh, modern online identity for all Kiwis.

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