Consultations — have your say

Result of consultation 

We proposed some updates to the .nz Rules that govern .nz domain names, and asked for feedback.

This was the second round of consultation for 2025. The change proposals accepted in this round will be released with the results of the minor amendments consultation held in May 2025. 

Version 3.2 of the .nz Rules was adopted by the InternetNZ Board on 5 December 2025, and will take effect from 17 March 2026.

The changes between .nz Rules version 3.1 and 3.2 are marked up, and the summary of changes is also available.

Consultation material 

Have your say!

We welcome your feedback on the proposed updates to the .nz Rules. Please share your submission using the Google form at the bottom of this page. You have until 5pm, on Wednesday 1 October 2025. Submissions will be published on this webpage. 

We run an open policy-making process and publish submissions to encourage open conversation. We will publish the names of the submitters but not their contact details. If you want to include confidential information in your submission, contact dotnzreview@internetnz.net.nz to discuss potential arrangements for handling the information.

If you have any questions about the proposed amendments, get in touch by emailing dotnzreview@internetnz.net.nz. The information provided in submissions will be used to inform InternetNZ’s final decision on changes to the .nz Rules. InternetNZ may contact you directly to clarify anything in your submission.  

Overview of changes 

The more significant proposed changes include:

General changes

1. We are making things simpler through aligning language that introduces  uniform terms in the .nz Rules and our agreements

2. We propose amending the exclusion of liability clause to cover actions taken to enforce, or actions authorised by, the .nz Rules, and also to cover actions taken under the .nz associated agreements. 

Affecting Registrars (domain name providers)

1. We are detailing the processes under which new Registrars are authorised

2. We are clarifying that InternetNZ can enforce the Connection Agreement that it signs with Registrars.

3. We are making changes to reflect a new domain locking product that InternetNZ is implementing.

Affecting Domain Name Holders

1. We are making clear the obligation that Domain Name Holders continue to meet eligibility criteria during the entire lifecycle of a domain name (that is, domain names must be held by living persons or lawfully constituted entities)

2. We are making clear the Domain Name Holder obligation to ensure that accurate data is maintained on the .nz Register for the full duration of the domain name’s registration

3. The proposed changes make explicit that if data accuracy is not maintained, and/or queries from the Commission about data accuracy are not responded to, domain names can be suspended following a DNC (Domain Name Commission) process.

We’ve prepared a detailed summary of the changes and a strike-out version (available below) highlighting the changes between the current .nz rules (amended to include the minor changes consulted on in May 2025) with the proposed new version. 

Questions for feedback

1. Do you have any comments on the uniform terms we are introducing? (See definitions on pages 8 to 10 of the proposed .nz Rules.)
2. Do you have any feedback on the drafting of the exclusion of liability clause? (Amended clause 12.2.19 of the proposed .nz Rules.)
3. Do you agree with a requirement that eligibility to register a domain name should be maintained during the lifecycle of a domain name? (New clauses 8.2.2(d)(iii), 8.2.4(m) and 12.2.15(b) of the proposed .nz Rules.) 
4. Do you agree with a requirement that accuracy of the data — used to register a domain name — should be maintained during the lifecycle of a domain name? (New clause 2.2.3(b)(ii) of the proposed .nz Rules.)
5. Do you agree that failure to reply to requests for validation of .nz Register data should allow suspension under a Domain Name Commission process? (New clause 12.2.15(d) of the proposed .nz Rules.)
6. Do you have any comments on the flow of the Authorisation process? (Clause 11 of the proposed .nz Rules.)
7. Do you have any comments on the proposed domain lock provision?
8. Any other feedback on proposed amendments? (See the full marked-up/strike-out version)

More detail

Uniform Terms 

New definitions are introduced that add to the uniform terms that we will use in the .nz domain name space, .nz Rules, and in our related agreements. They are a new defined term for Authorisation Application; Authorisation Date; Domain Lock Agent; Domain Lock Agreement; Domain Name Holder Agreement; and Domain Name Holder Agreement Core Terms and Conditions. (See pages 8 - 10 of the nz Rules.)

Amending the exclusion of liability clause

The proposed provision is new clause 12.2.19.

InternetNZ and the Domain Name Commission together manage the .nz domain name space and ensure that .nz can be secure and trusted. Part of performing that work includes taking actions that could impact on Domain Name Holders and Registrars. When undertaking those actions there is an obligation to adhere to the principles of natural justice and take action proportionate in the circumstances. 

We have an exclusion of liability clause that we are clarifying.  It’s important for the long term viability of the .nz domain name space that we limit the InternetNZ Group’s exposure to liability for actions taken in good faith. 

Eligibility and accuracy amendments 

New provisions are proposed in clauses 2.2.3(b(ii), 8.2.2(d)(iii), 8.2.4(m) and 12.2.15(d) and 2.2.3(b(ii) 12.2.15(b).) 

Under the current .nz Rules, a person must be an Identifiable Individual over the age of 18 or a lawfully constituted entity to register a .nz domain (existing clause 2.2.1).  The changes proposed are to combat ‘orphan domain names’ where eligibility once existed - but has been lost, for example, where a Domain Name Holder dies or where a domain name holding company is struck off. Under the proposed changes, it’s made clear that the estate or previous Directors need to take responsibility for the domain name.

Other changes relate to improving the quality of the .nz Register data. It’s an important pillar of trust and safety in .nz that the .nz Register data remains accurate and that Domain Name Holders are contactable. 

The Domain Name Commission undertakes compliance work to ensure the quality of the .nz Register data, and the new proposals make explicit that Domain Name Holders need to keep their contact details up to date during the life cycle of their domain name, and if they don’t respond to compliance queries from the Domain Name Commission confirming the accuracy of the data, they may have their domain names suspended after a Domain Name Commission process.

Domain Name Holders will be impacted by this change because they must respond to Domain Name Commission requests received to confirm the accuracy of the .nz Register data. It is possible that a Domain Name Holder’s domain name will be suspended if they do not respond, but suspension can also be reversed in some instances where Domain Name Holders later respond. The obligation created — to respond to data accuracy requests from the Domain Name Commission — is considered by InternetNZ as a reasonable ask of Domain Name Holders as part of ensuring the accuracy of the .nz Register data. 

Changes affecting Registrars

These changes include a significant re-write of clause 11 of the .nz Rules which sets out (amongst other things) the process under which new Registrars (domain name providers) are onboarded including an initial authorisation process through the Domain Name Commission, and then referral to InternetNZ for connection to the Registry. 

The overall process is unchanged but minor changes are made to respond to the fact that some of the processes have been recently updated (for example, the Domain Name Commission has issued a new Application Form) and also to respond to feedback that the exact flow of process in the .nz Rules is difficult to follow. 

In summary, the changes to clause 11 clarify each step in the authorisation process; which part of InternetNZ Group is responsible for each step; and also introduce a clear Authorisation Date when parties may begin holding themselves out as .nz authorised Registrars. 

Another change which could affect Registrars is proposed clause 12.1.4 which is introduced to clarify that, despite the Domain Name Commission also having authority to monitor and enforce the Connection Agreement, InternetNZ retains the ability to enforce the Connection Agreement.

Domain Lock product 

Currently, clause 6 of the .nz Rules details a registry lock service that was designed before the migration to the new InternetNZ Registry System on 1 November 2022. The registry lock service, as it is defined in the current .nz Rules, was never offered to the market. 

InternetNZ is proposing to offer a different domain lock to Registrars as an optional feature of .nz domain names. The product being launched is a security product that mitigates against unauthorised changes to a locked domain name

As a service, a lock helps to protect domains that are vulnerable to malicious actors or less tolerant of unintended changes, such as high-traffic websites, big brands/corporations, banks, critical infrastructure, or government bodies. 

Key features are that, once enabled, it locks the domain name, mitigating against unauthorised deletion, transfer, or the domain name information being edited.  

InternetNZ proposes to make some changes to the .nz Rules in order to be able to offer a new lock service.

The proposed features are:

• That locking and unlocking tasks are performed by Registrar staff (not Registry staff as provided under the current .nz Rules);

• Only Registrars who have been approved under InternetNZ’s application process are able to offer this additional feature;

• A proposed Domain Lock Agreement sets the terms under which the Registrar must operate;

• Additional terms are set in the Domain Name Holder/Registrar Agreement that dictate the processes for actions on a locked domain name.

Full details of all changes

Look at the summary and the marked up changes to see the full details of all changes!

• PDF of Detailed summary of the changes.
• PDF of Strike-out version highlighting the changes proposed. 

Make a submission 

Please use this Google form (link no longer available) to submit your feedback. Submission closes at 5pm on 1 October 

We run an open policy-making process and publish submissions to encourage open conversation. We will publish the names of the submitters but not their contact details.

If you want to include confidential information in your submission, contact dotnzreview@internetnz.net.nz to discuss potential arrangements for handling the information.

Submissions received

As of 22 September, we have received four submissions.

Submissions received as of 22 September 2025.

2025 .nz Rules minor amendments: A few tidy-ups

Result of consultation:

We received some feedback from various stakeholders and identified minor amendments to tidy up the .nz Rules. The changes sought included drafting clarifications to assist with understanding particular .nz Rules. 

Version 3.2 of the .nz Rules was adopted by the InternetNZ Board on 5 December 2025. The changes were made up of the outcomes of the two rounds of consultation conducted in 2025. Version 3.2 will take effect from 17 March 2026.

Consultation material

We are keen to hear your feedback on these proposed changes. Send your submission to dotnzreview@internetnz.net.nz before Friday, 6 June 2025. Submissions will be published on this webpage.

Get in touch by emailing dotnzreview@internetnz.net.nz if you have any questions about the proposed amendments to the .nz Rules. 

What are the changes?

The changes include clarifying Definitions, changing the acronym used to refer to the Domain Name Commission (from DNCL to DNC), and also reflect recent changes made to bring in the ‘.nz Dispute Resolution Scheme’ - previously known as the ‘Dispute Resolution Service’. They are all minor and InternetNZ considers that the changes will not have an adverse impact on any stakeholders.

The table in the summary of proposed changes in v 3.2 is a summary of the amendments that we propose making.

The proposed changes are highlighted in this marked up copy of 2025 - Consultation draft of version 3.2 of .nz Rules. 

Submission received 

We received five submissions as at the close date 6 June 2025.

Minor amendments 2025 submissions received as at close 6 June 2025

Overview

Purpose:

This policy consultation sought feedback on proposed changes to the management of conflicted domain names in the .nz domain name space. 

We invited feedback on any aspect of the proposal outlined in this consultation and on the specific questions that we’re particularly interested in receiving your views on.

Result of consultation:

Schedule 3 (version 2) 1 July 2025.

Consultation details

In 2014, we opened domain name registration directly at the ‘.nz.’ level. As a result of this change, some .nz domain names became conflicted. For example: 

jobloggs.net.nz is registered to one registrant

jobloggs.co.nz to another registrant

jobloggs.nz then became a conflicted domain name and we gave both registrants the right to register a preference to register the new shorter version of the domain name. 

More than 15,000 parties were initially involved in a ‘conflict’ regarding a .nz domain name. Involved parties were required to lodge their interest in a conflicted names database by October 2017.

Over time, the number of conflicted domain names has decreased to around 1,300. 

This decrease is due to: 

• A preference for the shorter domain name wasn’t registered by 2017 

• Parties have agreed on who should have it (and actioned a resolution through the preference database)

• A party in the conflict set has not renewed its domain name, leaving only one person in the set. When there is only one ‘claimant’ left, that person has two months to register the shorter domain name, or it will be released for general registration. 

In 2020, we commissioned an independent review of the .nz Rules. The .nz Advisory Review Panel was formed, and they sought the community’s views in an Options Paper, which included questions about the future management of conflicted domain names. The Panel noted that almost all submitters were in support of bringing the conflicted names process to an end and in their recommendations report they recommended ending the process and releasing the domain names.

In early 2024, we commenced a review and sent a survey to all affected parties to get their views on the process and change options. We also held two webinars with affected Government agencies; and a meeting with an affected iwi representative. A report of the Conflicted Domain Names Policy Review Survey results has been published. 

Proposed approach 

Our proposed approach is that, after a notified final period of resolution, there will be general release to the market of the conflicted domain names with two exceptions.

A number of options were considered, and, on balance, this approach was favoured as the most appropriate. The InternetNZ Council has reviewed and approved it for consultation.

Proposed Schedule 4 of the .nz Rules — Transitional provisions ending Conflicted Names Process

The exceptions

The exceptions from general release are for conflicted domain names which are determined by an expert panel as inappropriate for general release due to security concerns or whose general release is determined as inconsistent with the .nz Principle ‘.nz should support te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and participation in .nz by Māori’. * 

The reason for this approach is that it takes into account:

• The interests of affected parties;
• Potential for harm to the community;
• Being consistent with the .nz Rules principles including that .nz should be open and accessible;
• Involves right-sized investment of resources to bring this process to a conclusion.

Our proposed approach to end the conflicted domain name process will be implemented by creating Schedule 4 to the .nz Rules.

*This Principle received support from the wider Internet community during the independent panel’s consultation process in 2020 and was adopted by the InternetNZ Council.  There is a statement attached to this Principle - ‘Note: this draft principle is to be discussed and will form part of the Māori engagement plan.’ No objections from Māori to the phrasing of this Principle have been received.

Detailed reasons

We have a duty to manage .nz in service of the local Internet community.  Factors in support of the proposed approach are:

• Consistency with the policy of first come, first served, which in the .nz context means that the starting point is that anyone can register a domain name in any of the spaces so long as it is not already registered.

• Release supports the .nz Principle of openness and accessibility and will free up a number of domain names for registration. 

• Continuing to offer the resolution process utilises resources that could be used to better effect, for example, doing more to manage DNS abuse.

• Resolutions are becoming more and more rare with only around five conflicted names now resolving per month. It’s likely that sets in which all parties are motivated to resolve have now reached agreement, and we will only see resolutions by cancellation in the future.

• Clarity of an end process may provide the incentive needed for other parties to resolve and will end the ‘nuisance’ factor for those who prefer to see this settled one way or the other.

• Regarding security concerns:

  • There are many thousands of the same or similar domain name strings at many 3rd levels and at the second level already. By definition, a conflicted domain name was the exact same string of a domain name held by, at least, two different domain name holders.

  • Many people didn’t take up the option to register their equivalent shorter domain name and yet the shorter equivalent domain names don’t appear disproportionately in current complaints to the Domain Name Commission. 

  • InternetNZ’s view is that the potential for harm (arising from domain name confusion) as a result of releasing these domains is not significant. The surveyed parties’ concerns raised about potential for confusion seem most likely to result in experiencing inconvenience rather than harm. For example, one likely result of mis-typing an email address is a bounce back and if wrong details are typed into an address bar (the 2nd level domain and not the 3rd) in most instances you would just arrive at the wrong destination. Unless an impersonation scam is operating there, there should be no significant harm caused. The Domain Name Commission has processes that should respond to most problems encountered.

Security exception

Some domain names within the conflict sets are associated with very famous technology brands and high-traffic public-facing government websites. Our view is that some of the domain names carry potential risks of harm due to impersonation. However, without knowing more about the use of the domain names and hearing from those with the most knowledge of that, it is not possible to assess the true risk.

Whilst the Domain Name Commission’s processes work well in most cases to respond to harm, they can take time to resolve issues. For this reason we consider that the risk linked to these small number of domain names may be significant. An exception allocating these domain names under a determination process seems to have merit. The details of that process are set out in Process A of the Proposed Schedule 4 of the .nz Rules. The determination process only applies to the conflicted domain names remaining after the final resolution period is over. 

Support Te Reo exception

In addition, release to the open market of domain names that include iwi names or Māori kupu / words of special significance might be considered a breach of the .nz Principle to support ‘te reo Māori me ōna tikanga’, or may offend against the .nz Principle of being responsive to .nz’s diverse environment. 

For this reason InternetNZ considers that a process should be designed to ensure that these names can be managed consistently with tikanga. This might involve blocking them, or allocating them to a party in the conflict set or some other party. The details of that Process are set out in Process B of the Proposed Schedule 4 of the .nz Rules. The determination process only applies to the conflicted domain names remaining after the final resolution period is over.

Experts and determination fee

Making determinations on exception applications requires a high level of expertise and InternetNZ will need to appoint independent experts to undertake the role. 

Where a party in the conflict set applies for determination a fee of $1,000 per application is proposed which will be used to offset the expenses of the panels. The panels will be made up of three expert members and the panels will also undertake a review of the final conflicted names list to self-identify any domain names for exception treatment if no application is made.

Timeline

Consultation opened: 30 October 2024

Consultation closed: 27 November 2024

*This includes resolutions that result from an agreement between the parties, or last person standing resolutions (this is where only one domain name is left in the contest because the others have been deleted from the zone (lapsed registrations).

**If the person does not register by 5 August the name reverses back into the unresolved list.

Consultation questions

1. Do you agree that the recommended approach is consistent with the .nz Rules principles.  If not, please explain.

2. What are your views on the key steps to end the conflicted names process and the timeframes to complete them?

3. Do you think the exception to general release for security reasons is reasonable? If not, please explain.

4. Do you think the exception to general release where it is inconsistent with the .nz Principle ‘.nz should support te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and participation in .nz by Māori’ is reasonable? If not, please explain. 

5. What are your views on the level of the proposed determination fee being set at $1,000?

6. Please provide any general comments on the approach.

How to make a submission

Please use this Google form to submit your feedback (no longer linked as consultation is closed).

The information provided in submissions will be used to inform InternetNZ’s final decision on changes to the Conflicted Domain Names Process. InternetNZ may contact you directly to clarify anything in your submission. 

Submissions received

Conflicted Names Policy Consultation Submissions received as at 9 December 2024.