Only one week left for those with .nz domain names to take action
Media release – 23 March 2015
In one week, thousands of those with preferential registration and reservation rights to the new, shorter version of their .nz domain name will see their options expire.
Most of those with existing .nz names have had six months from last September to either register or reserve their name direct at .nz before anybody else. They have what is called ‘Preferential Registration or Reservation (PRR)’.
However, if they’ve not acted on their preferential registration or reservation rights by 1pm, 30 March 2015 the shorter version of their name will become available for anybody to get – on a first come, first served basis.
The deadline does not apply to those with ‘conflicted’ names that are registered in more than one second level, but is hugely significant for those with PRR who are yet to take action.
Domain Name Commissioner Debbie Monahan says the window of opportunity is narrowing daily, so all those eligible should urgently consider whether they’d like to take advantage of their preferential registration and reservation rights.
“More than 60,000 shorter .nz names have been registered or reserved by those with PRR so far. But there are tens of thousands of others who haven’t done anything.
“The .nz registrar community has already communicated with their affected customers and all those with PRR should have heard from their provider.
“It’s fine if people choose not to register or reserve the shorter version of their name – they can keep using their existing .nz name as they always have. But those who are interested and haven’t yet acted should consider their options immediately by talking to their provider or visiting anyname.nz.”
Those with PRR have three options. They can register the shorter .nz version of their existing name before anyone else; reserve it for free for a limited time; or do nothing at all.
Registering is a straightforward process – done through any .nz registrar or .nz domain name provider. Reserving is a free service and is done at a special website set up by the Domain Name Commission – anyname.nz.
Whichever option chosen, it’s important to know that there’s no effect at all on any existing .nz domain name. All existing .nz domain names will continue as they always have, provided they’re kept registered.
To learn more about the importance of 1pm, 30 March 2015 for those with Preferential Registration and Reservation (PRR) rights, visit anyname.nz.
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Frequently asked questions*
* A comprehensive list of FAQs is available at anyname.nz.
What are these new, shorter .nz names all about?
People now have more choice when getting a .nz domain name. Existing ‘second levels’ – like the ‘.co’ in ‘.co.nz’ and the ‘.org’ in ‘.org.nz’ – are optional. This means you could register with them, without them, or both. As an example, you could get ‘anyname.co.nz’ as well as ‘anyname.nz’. Registering one of these new, shorter .nz domain names is called ‘registering directly at the second level’.
What is Preferential Registration or Reservation (PRR)?
PRR means the holder of a .nz domain name is eligible to register or reserve the shorter version of their domain name before anyone else can. People with PRR only have until 1pm 30 March 2015 to exercise that preferential right.
What’s the registration process?
If you’re eligible to register the new, shorter version of your .nz domain name - and want to - you do this through the Registrar or provider you use now, or a new one. You'll need your UDAI to register.
What’s the reservation process?
If you’re eligible to reserve the new, shorter version of your .nz domain name - and want to do so - go to https://anyname.nz/managewith your UDAI and follow the steps. Reserving the shorter version of your name is free and will give you up to two years to decide whether you want it or not, without anyone else being able to register it in that time.
I have a .nz domain name already. What will happen to it and what do I need to know?
Nothing will happen to your existing domain name and you can continue to use it as you always have. However, depending on when you registered it, you may have Preferential Registration or Reservation (PRR). This means you could register or reserve the shorter version of your name before anyone else. But you've only got until 1pm, 30 March 2015.