Registering Conflicted (blocked) domain names.

Background

In 2014 the .nz domain name space released registrations directly at the second level, meaning more choice in .nz domain names. For example, you could get ‘anyname.nz’ and didn’t need to first have, say, a ‘co’ or ‘org’ as in anyname.co.nz or anyname.org.nz.

If there was more than one existing .nz domain name registered before a cut-off date (such as anyname.co.nz and anyname.net.nz), then we gave both the Domain Name Holders rights to the new shorter version of the domain name.

In July 2025, the conflicted name process was changed to:

1. Retire the process of allowing agreements to be made as to who should register a conflicted domain name, including ending the lodging of preference changes at 12pm on Tuesday, 1 July 2025.
   

2. Continue to block the remaining conflicted domain names from registration.
   

3. Confirm and continue the ability for InternetNZ to release conflicted domain names in the future when only one remaining conflicted domain name remains in a conflict set.

We have provided information below to explain how this new process works.

Conflicted Names are now “Blocked”

All conflicted names as of 1 November 2022 were moved to a “blocked” list. This prohibits the registration of these domain names on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Going forward, Domain Name Holders who can register blocked/ conflicted domain names will be notified via the registrant email address listed on the registration record.  

How does a registrar identify a conflicted/blocked name?

Whether you are using EPP or IRS Portal, please check the steps outlined on the InternetNZ Product Documentation site.