Registrar Advisory Group

Lee has been an elected member of the RAG since it began in 2003. He is responsible for Voyager’s domain name offering under brands 1st Domains and RegisterDirect. Entering the Internet industry in 1995, Lee has valuable experience in the technical operations and commercial aspects of operating a registrar with a large customer base. Voyager continues to actively develop offerings for .nz.  Lee believes this, combined with his previous experience, allows him to continue to represent registrars’ best interests.

Glen has already served two terms as an elected member of the RAG. He has been operating a niche ISP as Director, Administrator and Technical Resource for the past 15 years. GodZone Internet Services has been a registrar of the NZSRS since the beginning of 2003.  GodZone Internet Services is a small player in the industry, but Glen believes that he has experienced many of the issues in common with other registrars and he can represent the interests of other smaller registrars. 

Glen has also been employed for the last 30 years in IT Services at Massey University. He has experience as a customer in the domain market and internet services in general.

Mel Tohiariki has been working in the domain name industry for over 12 years.
 
During her tenure at Domainz Limited and Melbourne IT, she has been involved in numerous product launches. These included the opening of the .nz second level and .KIWI. Her in-depth knowledge of domain name policies covers both domestic and international spaces, including the recent advent of new GTLDs.
 
Mel has also had a vital role in the retail and partners corporate channel sales of domain names. She balanced industry policies with the commercial needs of registrar businesses within the Melbourne IT Group.

We are updating these bios – check back soon.

We are updating these bios – check back soon.

We are updating these bios – check back soon.

Here are the terms of reference for the Registrar Advisory Group. The terms of reference explain why the group was established and what it does.

Rationale

A Registrar Advisory Group has been set up by InternetNZ as part of its obligations under the Shared Registry System (SRS). The Registrar Advisory Group is chaired by the Domain Name Commissioner (Commissioner). It comprises up to six Registrar representatives, and such InternetNZ and Domain Name Commission Limited (DNCL) staff as may be required. It is intended to represent the collective interests of the Registrar community. Thus it provides a key advisory element in the ongoing monitoring of the market by the DNCL. This group will meet as and when necessary.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Registrar Advisory Group will:

1. provide input to the Commissioner and InternetNZ on matters affecting the .nz domain name space, including providing advice on their preferred priority work areas
2. act as one point of contact between the authorised registrars and the DNC and InternetNZ
3. provide a forum for Registrars to share issues affecting the .nz market and offer possible solutions
4. provide input to help resolve technical issues regarding the register, its interfaces and the .nz DNS, and to identify and evaluate possible SRS enhancements and changes
5. be consulted as part of any .nz external policy review
6. provide input to the DNCL communication strategy regarding .nz domain.

The Registrar Advisory Group will meet as required, probably quarterly. It is required to act in a positive, constructive manner.

The Registrar Advisory Group, and members, will not: 

• make any decisions that bind either the Commissioner or InternetNZ given its advisory role.
• use the forum to present any personal agenda that doesn't have a wider benefit to the registrar community or .nz environment.
• make public statements purporting to represent the .nz position on any matter.

Membership

The Registrar Advisory Group shall comprise:

• up to six Registrar representatives, as elected by Registrars
• the DNCL chair
• such InternetNZ and DNCL staff as may be required.