14 September, 2012
The launch of the .kiwi.nz extension has helped nudge the total number of .nz domain name registrations past 500,000.
The 500,000 milestone comes nearly a decade after InternetNZ introduced a competitive market for .nz domain name registrations.
While half a million may not sound like a huge number when compared to huge registries like .com or even when stacked up against Australia's .au registrations (now more than 2.5 million); New Zealand only has a population of around 4.4 million. The makes the .nz registry on par with Australia on a per capita basis.
However, unlike .AU domain names; which have strict registration eligibility criteria, .NZ domains are unrestricted and may be registered by any local or foreign individual or company.
NZ Domain Name Commissioner Debbie Monahan expects this week's introduction of the .kiwi.nz second-level will provide additional impetus to the .nz domain name space in the time ahead. Earlier this week, over 1000 .kiwi.nz names were registered within the first 15 minutes of the extension being made available.
As mentioned in our earlier article, not everyone is impressed with the launch of .kiwi.nz. Under ICANN's expanded generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) program, Dot Kiwi Ltd had raised its hand as a contender to secure the .kiwi domain name.
Should Dot Kiwi successfully secure the extension, it is expected to be available for individuals and organisations to purchase by early 2013; but the company believes the introduction of .kiwi.nz will create confusion and isn't in the best interests of the Internet. Tim Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Dot Kiwi has accused InternetNZ of ignoring a number of submissions protesting the introduction of .kiwi.nz.
In other recent .NZ news, the Domain Name Commission has flagged a feedback deadline in regard to a proposal to extend the .nz domain name space by allowing registrations at the 'second level' is drawing near. The closing date for submissions is midday on Thursday 27 September 2012.
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