Iwi now have the ability to use macrons in web addresses

Iwi now have the ability to use macrons in web addresses enhancing te reo Māori online.

A recent collaboration between .iwi.nz moderator Karaitiana Taiuru and GodZone Internet Services a domain name company will ensure that Iwi can now register their web addresses and names with macrons within the exclusive .iwi.nz address. For example ngāi-mea.iwi.nz is now a feasible web address.

Despite such technology being available for the past 3 years, this is the first time Iwi can choose to use macrons in their Iwi web addresses when registering an address. With only two New Zealand companies offering the ability to include macrons due to the commercial investment and return it has been a slow and frustrating process seeking support from commercial entities said Taiuru.

The collaboration for .iwi.nz to use macrons will also raise the ability that macrons can be used in any domain that ends in .nz, not just .iwi.nz or .maori.nz. It is also a little known fact that all .maori.nz web addresses are able to be used with and without a macron. Hence by default www.name.maori.nz and www.name.māori.nz are now the same addresses.

It is envisaged that more Iwi and Māori will now utilise the macron in web addresses in conjunction with a non macron web address and we will see more interest with some Iwi to get online, and te reo Māori being better utilised in the online environment.

Details and .iwi.nz moderation policy are available at http://www.register.iwi.nz .
ENDS

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