Kiwis get ready… for more .NZ domain name choices

From 1pm on September 30 2014, second level domains such as .net.nz and .geek.nz will become optional meaning you can register names with them, without them or both.

This means you’ll also start seeing names like www.anyname.nz – it’s shorter, simpler and, for many people, far more representative.

If you’ve got a .nz name and are keen on getting the shorter version it’s important that you talk to your domain name provider or visit the www.anyname.nz website to check the status of your name.

www.anyname.nz is the authoritative place to go for information on the change. It’s important you go there because, depending on when you originally registered your name, you’ll find there’s different options open to you.

You may find for instance that you’re eligible to register or reserve the shorter version of your .nz name before anyone else.

You may also find that your .nz name is listed as ‘conflicted’. If, for example, you’ve got a .net.nz name others might have .co.nz or .org.nz versions. If this is the case, you’ll be able to have your say on who might get the shorter version.

If you’re simply not interested in this change, that’s fine. Your .nz name will continue to work as it always has and you’ll still be able to register and use names under the existing endings you like ‘.co.nz’ and ‘.org.nz’.