The next five years hold uncertainty — here’s how we’re tackling it
Today is the first day of the InternetNZ group’s new five-year strategy. It’s a document which will ground and guide its work as the steward of .nz over the coming years. You can read the full strategy on this page, but here’s a little scene-setting from InternetNZ Board chair Stephen Judd & chief executive Vivien Maidaborn.
In Internet years, five years may as well be 20. The pace at which the Internet and its community grow, change, and innovate is lightning-fast. This brings both challenges and opportunities for us at InternetNZ | Ipurangi Aotearoa.
On one hand, we must maintain a steady hand on the wheel and a clear focus on the path ahead — stewarding .nz so that it’s available to New Zealanders 100 percent of the time, supporting our communities and businesses.
We are very clear on the core role of InternetNZ: to operate secure, resilient infrastructure that New Zealanders can depend on.
On the other hand, we need to have sufficient flexibility to be responsive to the accelerating pace of change across the Internet and its global community.
It is clear that our future will be influenced by heightened geopolitical tensions, accelerating technological change, and increasing scrutiny of Internet infrastructure and governance.
Globally, rising geopolitical tensions are placing pressure on the open, interoperable Internet. Moves toward national sovereignty, trade fragmentation and greater multilateral control risk undermining the multistakeholder model of Internet governance and the open global Internet itself.
These dynamics directly affect the stability, reach, and relevance of the domain name space, as well as New Zealand’s connection to global Internet governance institutions.
At the same time, the Internet and the Domain Name System (DNS) are recognised as critical national infrastructure for New Zealand, underpinning the economy. As a result, they may attract greater regulatory attention and increasingly become targets for cyber attacks.
It’s an increasingly complex environment in which we operate.
The Group's five-year strategy is therefore an indispensable marker on the horizon — a point we will continue to steer toward, even when the waters are choppy.
It’s anchored by four pillars: .nz service excellence, financial sustainability and growth, organisational capability and social impact.
The strategy is underpinned by the Constitution, our values framework Ngā Uara, and Te Korowai o Ipurangi Aotearoa.
Despite what some of AI’s most enthusiastic proponents may say, people will be essential to achieving it. Our people – from IT engineers to Internet governance policy analysts – are experts in their fields and we are fortunate to have them.
These are specialist skills, and we must ensure others are encouraged and supported to follow the path they have forged.
Maintaining diversity at a Board level is also going to be key to realising this strategy. The 10 current Board members all come from different personal and professional backgrounds, and each brings a unique lens and skillset to the role as board members of InternetNZ.
This five-year strategy is case in point, it’s a result of diverse perspectives contributing to a shared vision: a fair and inclusive Internet for Aotearoa New Zealand, where the trusted .nz brand drives social and economic value.
There is a great deal of change ahead, but with a robust strategy, supported by a clear Constitution, a strong Board and an expert team, we feel prepared for whatever comes next.
Read the InternetNZ Group Strategy 2026–2031 on this page.