InternetNZ approves new second level domain - .kiwi.nz

InternetNZ approves new second level domain - .kiwi.nz

Media release - 24 August 2012

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is pleased to announce that it has approved the creation of a new second level domain in the .nz domain name space - .kiwi.nz. This expands the range of choice New Zealanders have in the domain name market and means that people will soon be able to register personalised domain names ending in .kiwi.nz.

The implementation of .kiwi.nz is being managed by InternetNZ’s subsidiary company the Domain Name Commission Ltd. Authorised .nz registrars will be able to take registrations for these names from 10am on Tuesday, 11 September 2012.

Domain Name Commissioner Debbie Monahan describes the .kiwi.nz application as fitting perfectly with its previously published criteria for new second-level domains. Under its current policy, a new second level domain can be created if it:
• represents an identifiable, significant community of interest.
• represents an on-going and long-lived community of interest.
• does not conflict with, duplicate or cause confusion about, any existing second-level domain and is a useful addition to the current DNS (Doman Name System) hierarchy.
• uses a name to represent the domain that is an obvious derivative of a word that properly describes the community of interest, e.g. .org.nz for organisation, or a complete word, e.g. .maori.nz.
• does not bring the .nz domain name space into disrepute.
InternetNZ President Frank March says, “The .kiwi.nz application clearly met these requirements and should be an option for .nz registrants. The InternetNZ Council agreed that it met all the policy requirements and so approved it. We congratulate the Domain Name Commission for undertaking an open and transparent consultation process with the community.”

“The policy for evaluating a new second-level domain takes into account existing second-level domains in .nz but not possible future changes, such as direct registration under .nz (which is currently being consulted on) or new generic Top Level Domains that may or may not be introduced at some point in the future.”

The application for the creation of .kiwi.nz was received in April 2012. A 25-day period of public consultation followed, with 14 submissions received. After considering these submissions, the Domain Name Commission recommended to InternetNZ that the domain be created.

Monahan says that as part of introducing a new .nz second level domain, a threshold of registrations must be received before the domain is made active.

“We encourage those interested in securing a .kiwi.nz registration to contact a .nz registrar and ask what they need to do to obtain the name of their choice in the .kiwi.nz zone.

“Registrars will advise prospective registrants that if the threshold of 500 for .kiwi.nz is not met, .kiwi.nz will not be made active and they won’t have their name but we think it is a great opportunity for people to get a true ‘kiwi’ tone into their domain names,” she says.

ENDS

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