.nz policy review 2026
Our role in creating .nz policy
One of InternetNZ's roles as the home and guardian for the .nz domain is to set the policies for the registration and use of a .nz domain name.
Our policies set out the rules and procedures for anyone owning a .nz domain name. They include:
- the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the .nz domain
- the procedures they need to follow
- how we manage any disputes about .nz domain names.
2026 .nz Rules review programme
Rules changes are needed to implement the first year of the DNS Abuse Strategy. This strategy has been approved 'In principle' by the InternetNZ Board. All ultimate .nz Rules changes will be achieved by our mandated Policy Development Process.
It is anticipated that this will include:
- Rules changes to implement the approved enhanced registration checking process, likely to include:
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- Risk-based early registration checking; and
- Risk-based protective hold, pausing entry into the zone until checks have been completed.
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- Rules change to allow a response to evidenced technical abuse (eg phishing and malware).
Rules change is needed to implement any pricing model changes that may be approved during 2026.
Rules changes following review of the data that is publicly available under the query search function provided for in Part 10 of the .nz Rules.
If resources allow, a review of the policy development process to provide more detail and transparency to the Rules process.
Research will be undertaken seeking options for strengthening the protection of Te Reo within the .nz Rules.
Previous review programmes
Click the + to the right of the text to expand for more details.
2025 .nz Rules review
We expect the work to be completed within the following timeframes:
- The wholesale price for .nz domain names changes on 1 July 2025 and this is implemented through a rules change on 1 July.
- The review of the conflicted domain names process is complete. Now the focus is on implementing the changes coming in on 1 July 2025.
- Minor changes are small changes that clarify some of the .nz Rules mean. Proposed minor changes are being released on 12 May 2025 for comment and will be linked here.
- The Agreements with the .nz domain name providers (Registrars) are being refreshed and there will be a few amendments proposed so that the Agreements and the .nz Rules are in alignment. The consultation will be released in August 2025.
Consideration is being given to introducing a Domain Name Lock and this may also involve Rules change in 2025. Additionally, we are undertaking strategic work considering what role the .nz Registry could play in disrupting DNS Abuse.
Email dotnzreview@internetnz.net.nz if you have any questions or suggestions for our rules or want to engage in any future consultations.
2024 .nz Rules Review
- A conflicted name is where two or more people own a domain name that has the same base name but on different tiers, i.e. Joseph Bloggs owns jobloggs.co.nz and Joanne Bloggs owns jobloggs.net.nz — the question as to who had the right to register the top tier domain jobloggs.nz when the top tier came out in 2014 is still not settled for all and it's time to review how this is managed. In 2024, InternetNZ consulted on whether it needed to change how the conflicted .nz domain names are managed. See the conflicted domain names policy review page for more information.
- Minor changes are small changes that need to be made to clarify what some of the rules mean. (See below for the current campaign on this consultation.)
- Reviewing the rules with a Māori lens, including learning what the Māori priorities are for the .nz rules, and how we can protect Te Reo Māori within the .nz space. Engagement and consultation with Māori will be central in this process.
- DNS Abuse is technical abuse: phishing, pharming, malware, botnets, and spam (when used as delivery mechanism). We will be having a look at whether the rules should give stronger powers to act to stop these abuses.