IMPORTANT: Changes To Your .nz Domain Name

From 30 September 2014, 'second level' domains like the .co in '.co.nz', the .org in '.org.nz' (or any .nz) will become optional. You'll be able to get .nz names with them, without them, or both. For example soon you can register ascona.nz as well as ascona.co.nz.

The change to allow shorter .nz names like ascona.nz is being made by the Domain Name Commission.

What does this mean for you?

If you have a .nz domain name, you’re an existing registrant. It’s important to know that you may be eligible to register or reserve the shorter version of your .nz domain name before it becomes available to anyone else.

To find out if you’re eligible, check the status of your domain name in the form below. As our sister company is a full Registrar we have direct access to register your .nz domain for you.

If you are eligible and don’t want to register or reserve the shorter version of your domain name, that’s fine. You’ll still be able to use your domain name as you always have.

What does your status mean?

• Will be PRR (Preferential Registration or Reservation):
  If you registered your .co.nz or .org.nz (or any.nz) domain name before 2012 and no one else has other versions of your domain you will have preferential rights to the shorter version of your existing domain name. This means that from 30 September 2014 you can register the shorter name. If this is not done by 30th March 2015 the domain will be available for anyone to register and you will lose this "Right"
   
• Will be Available (Without Prefrential Rights):
  If your domain does not have preferential rights then a shorter version will be available for general registration on a first-come, first-served basis from 30 September 2014. If you want to get the shorter version we’re offering a pre-registration service where we’ll try and register the name for you but you will need to let us know well before the 30 September 2014.
   
• Will be Conflicted:
  If someone else has another domain version of your .co.nz or .org.nz (or any.nz) version of your domain name you’ll have to decide among yourselves who gets it. To help make this easy the Domain Name Commission has put a process in place to make sure everyone’s views are heard. We will later on provide you some information on this process.
   
• Will be Prohibited:
  No-one is able to register the shorter version of the name

What do I have to do NOW?

Well, first you need to check the status of your domain name rights straight away in the form at the bottom of this page if you have not done this already.

After that you need to decide whether you want to register or reserve the shorter version of your name.

If your result was Preferential Rights then before the 30 March 2015:

• This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to say you want to register your shortened domain and we will do this for you

If your result was Without Preferential Rights then before the 30 September This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. what .nz domain you want registered and we will try to register the name for you. Remember this is on a first-come, first-served basis.

If your result was Will Be Conflicted, you need to decide if you:

• want to try and get the shorter version of your domain name
• don’t want it and don’t care who gets it
• don’t think anyone should get it
• want to register a totally different shorter name

You can then This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will assist you in identifying the other conflicted owners to start the process of negotiation.

In cases where people can’t decide who should get it, the Domain Name Commission will offer a free facilitation service to try and work it out, or it will not become available to anyone.

Finally…

It may be that you hold all the versions of your name. In that case This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. well before the 30 September 2014 what you want registered and we will organise for you.

If you don’t want the shorter version of your name, that’s fine. Your existing domain name will continue to work just as it always has.

All domain names that we register on your behalf will be at the same price as current.

Remember, to find out if you’re eligible check your domain name status in the form below:

Note: Please do not enter the www. in the form below, it is not part of the domain name and may cause an odd answer if entered. You only need to enter the domain e.g. ascona.co.nz