The .kiwi.nz has been given the green light to create a new second level domain for the .nz domain extension, .kiwi.nz to launch. The addition of this new second level domain comes at a time when other companies are applying for new GTLDS instead of second level domains which makes you wonder why would you want to or need to have .kiwi.nz when you could have .kiwi as its own GTLD?
The new extension shall be managed by by InternetNZ’s subsidiary company the Domain Name Commission Ltd. Authorised .nz registrars will be able to take registrations for these names from 10am on Tuesday, 11 September 2012.
Domain Name Commissioner Debbie Monahan describes the .kiwi.nz application as fitting perfectly with its previously published criteria for new second-level domains. Under its current policy, a new second level domain can be created if it:
• represents an identifiable, significant community of interest.
• represents an on-going and long-lived community of interest.
• does not conflict with, duplicate or cause confusion about, any existing second-level domain and is a useful addition to the current DNS (Doman Name System) hierarchy.
• uses a name to represent the domain that is an obvious derivative of a word that properly describes the community of interest, e.g. .org.nz for organisation, or a complete word, e.g. .maori.nz.
• does not bring the .nz domain name space into disrepute.
InternetNZ President Frank March says, “The .kiwi.nz application clearly met these requirements and should be an option for .nz registrants. The InternetNZ Council agreed that it met all the policy requirements and so approved it. We congratulate the Domain Name Commission for undertaking an open and transparent consultation process with the community.”
“The policy for evaluating a new second-level domain takes into account existing second-level domains in .nz but not possible future changes, such as direct registration under .nz (which is currently being consulted on) or new generic Top Level Domains that may or may not be introduced at some point in the future.”
What is interesting though is this statement from Debbie Monahan “Registrars will advise prospective registrants that if the threshold of 500 for .kiwi.nz is not met, .kiwi.nz will not be made active and they won’t have their name but we think it is a great opportunity for people to get a true ‘kiwi’ tone into their domain names,”
With .kiwi hoping to be launched in the near future the comments from Tim Johnson, Chief Executive Officer Dot Kiwi Ltd says “Why would potential registrants want .kiwi.nz when they could have .kiwi?
What would you rather .kiwi or .kiwi.nz? This is where I think GTLDS shall win over second level domains it just makes sense to me if I was from New Zealand I would rather have robbie.kiwi than robbie.kiwi.nz