Final call for new second levels - more .nz choice

Final call for new second levels paves the way for a .nz domain name space with more choice

Due to a recent decision that will offer more choice in .nz domain names, the Domain Name Commission is making a final call to any specific community of interest that wants to apply for the creation of a new second level.

There are currently 15 second levels in the .nz domain name space, each of which represent a specific community of interest.

Examples of these include .org.nz for not-for-profits; .māori.nz for Māori people, groups and organisations; .govt.nz for government departments; and .school.nz for primary, secondary, pre-schools and related organisations.

Domain Name Commissioner Debbie Monahan says that any community of interest that wants to apply for the creation of a new second level must do so by 30 April, 2014.

This deadline application is the result of a decision that in the future will allow for registrations directly at the second level. This is a move that will broaden the .nz domain name space and make the formal creation of new second level categories largely unnecessary.

“There is definitely a place for second levels within the .nz domain name space. However, the structure is evolving to one where more people can get domain names that they feel better represent them,” she said.

“For some people this is a little confusing, but when this change to allow .nz registrations directly at the second level goes live someone would be able to register the domain nameanyname.co.nz as well as anyname.nz. You’ll see that the .co is missing in the second example.

“Once this happens no one will need to apply to create a new second level like tradesperson.nz in order for them to then try and get city.tradesperson.nz. Instead they’d just registercitytradesperson.nz, which is much easier.

“The change is really a win-win because existing second levels will continue to work and people will still be able to get .nz domain names within them, they just won’t be mandatory.”

There are currently nine unmoderated second levels and six moderated ones. The application fee for an open second level – which means anyone can register within it – is $1,000, while the application cost for a moderated second level domain, which has restrictions around who can use it, is $3000.

There are some rules and restrictions around the applications and approval and all these details, along with the application form, can be found at: http://dnc.org.nz/content/secondleveldomains.html All applications must be received by 30 April, 2014.

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