Internet Society AGM Votes For Change

Statement David Farrar

INTERNET SOCIETY AGM VOTES FOR CHANGE

In a marathon annual general meeting, ending just before midnight on Friday 24 June members of the Internet Society of NZ (ISOCNZ) voted for profound change in a reaction to the massive criticism that DOMAINZ (the domain name registry company which provides *.nz names), and also ISOCNZ, had experienced from stake holders.

David Farrar, a former ISOCNZ Council Member and one of the main proponents seeking change to ISOCNZ and DOMAINZ, welcomed the decisions of the AGM and stated "Now that a change in direction had been so clearly endorsed I hope we can now draw a line over the problems of the last couple of years, and work towards a hugely improved relationship between ISOCNZ, DOMAINZ and their mutual stakeholders."

The AGM resolved, amongst other things, to:

- introduce a competitive shared registration system by removing the registration function from the registry

- provide certainty by having DOMAINZ continue to provide registration functions as a Registrar but removing the monopoly registry itself from DOMAINZ

- commission an independent review of the widely criticised new domain name registration system introduced by DOMAINZ last month

- deplore the defamation action taken by the DOMAINZ CEO against an ISOCNZ member and the funding of said action by DOMAINZ

- pass a motion of no confidence in the DOMAINZ Board

- elect nine new Councillors

- seek closer ties with the international Internet Society

"There was a decisive mandate for change and the new Council has the task before them to steer ISOCNZ on a new course where once again ISOCNZ will be regarded as the principal organisation representing the interests of Internet users and Internet Service Providers in New Zealand, rather than the situation in recent times where many have regarded ISOCNZ and DOMAINZ as working against them.

"There are a huge range of issues for ISOCNZ to be involved with. These range from the international governance issues to computer crime legislation, to e-commerce, to telecommunication and internet access issues. With so much time in the past having been spent on issues surrounding ISOCNZ's performance as manager of *.nz, many are looking forward to broadening the scope of ISOCNZ's activities. This bodes well for the future of ISOCNZ as a vital part of NZ's internet future" said David Farrar.

David Farrar also thanked the many members of ISOCNZ who supported change at the AGM, whether they were there in person, participating electronically or by proxy.

ENDS

For further information David Farrar can be contacted on david@farrar.com or 025 470 216.

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