Your domain name is your address online. It appears on your website, your email, your van and your business cards. Changing it later is a hassle, so it pays to choose well at the start. This guide covers the main options for New Zealand businesses, who sets the rules for .nz, and how to avoid problems down the track.
Who runs .nz?
Two organisations look after .nz domain names:
- InternetNZ runs the .nz register and makes the .nz Rules, after consulting the local internet community. It has ultimate responsibility for .nz.
- The Domain Name Commission is a subsidiary of InternetNZ that does the regulatory work. It authorises registrars, checks they follow the rules, and oversees the .nz dispute resolution scheme. The Domain Name Commissioner acts independently of InternetNZ on compliance and disputes.
You don’t register a .nz name directly with either of them. You go through an authorised registrar, which is the company you pay. Registrars set their own prices, so it is worth comparing a few.
.nz, .co.nz or .com?
New Zealand businesses usually choose between three endings.
.co.nz
The long-standing choice for New Zealand businesses. Customers recognise it, and it signals clearly that you are a Kiwi business. Because it has been around for a long time, many short and common names are already taken.
.nz
Since 2014 you have been able to register names directly under .nz, such as yourbusiness.nz. It is shorter and still clearly local. If you already own a .co.nz, check whether the matching .nz is available. Many businesses hold both and point one at the other.
.com
A global ending. It can make sense if you sell overseas or plan to. It doesn’t tell customers you are local, though, and it is not covered by the .nz Rules or the .nz dispute resolution scheme. Different rules and processes apply.
There are also other open .nz second levels, including .org.nz, .net.nz, .ac.nz, .geek.nz, .gen.nz, .kiwi.nz, .maori.nz and .school.nz. A small set of moderated second levels, such as .govt.nz and .iwi.nz, have their own extra eligibility rules.
Tips for choosing a good name
- Keep it short. Shorter names are easier to type, say and remember.
- Make it easy to spell. Say it out loud over the phone. If you have to spell it out, think again.
- Avoid hyphens and numbers where you can. They are easy to forget or get wrong.
- Match your business name if possible. It builds trust and makes your email address look professional.
- Think about the future. A name tied to one suburb or one product can feel limiting if you grow.
- Secure the obvious variations. If budget allows, register the matching .nz and .co.nz so nobody else can.
The rules for registering a .nz name
The .nz Rules set out who can register and what they agree to. The key points for a small business are:
- Who can register. An identifiable person over 18, or a lawfully constituted entity such as a company.
- First come, first served. Any available name can be registered in the order applications arrive. The registry does not check whether your name clashes with someone else’s brand.
- Your details must be accurate. You promise your contact details are correct and must keep them correct. The Domain Name Commission can ask you to verify your identity at any time.
- You don’t own the name. The rules are clear that the holder does not own a .nz domain name. You hold a licence to use it while it is registered and the rules are followed.
- You promise not to infringe others’ rights. When you register, you warrant that the name doesn’t infringe anyone else’s rights.
Register the domain in the name of the business that will use it. If a web designer registers it for you, make sure your business is listed as the holder, not the designer. This is one of the most common causes of trouble when businesses change providers.
Individuals can apply to have their personal contact details withheld from public searches. This Individual Registrant Privacy Option is not available to entities, or to individuals who use the domain to any significant extent in trade. Most businesses won’t qualify.
Renewals: don’t lose your name
Under the current .nz Rules, you can register a name for between one and ten years, in whole years. The default is one year.
If your registrar neither renews nor cancels a name by its expiry date, InternetNZ automatically renews it for the default period. There is then a 45-day grace period. If a name is cancelled, it goes into a 90-day pending release period. During that time it can be reinstated. After that it can be registered by anyone.
These safety nets help, but don’t rely on them. Practical steps:
- Turn on auto-renew with your registrar.
- Keep the payment card on your registrar account up to date.
- Use a contact email you check, on your own domain or a long-term address. Not a former staff member’s inbox.
- Consider registering for several years at a time for your main domain.
- Write down your registrar, login and renewal date somewhere safe.
Avoiding domain name disputes
Disputes usually happen when a name is close to someone else’s business name or trade mark. Before you register, do some homework:
- Search Google and the NZ Companies Register for businesses with the same or a similar name.
- Search the trade mark register at IPONZ for registered marks.
- Avoid names that copy or closely imitate a well-known brand.
If a dispute does happen, the .nz Dispute Resolution Service handles disagreements about who has the rights to a .nz name. It is run by the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre. A complainant has to show the name is an “unfair registration”. That covers names registered or used in a way that takes unfair advantage of, or is unfairly detrimental to, the complainant’s rights. Fair use, such as a genuine review or critique site, can be a defence.
You can choose mediation, where a neutral mediator helps both sides negotiate, or expert determination, where an expert decides on written submissions. If the complaint succeeds, the name can be transferred to the complainant. There is an appeal option to a panel of three experts. Each side pays its own legal costs. Fees apply, so check the current amounts with the scheme before you start.
If your problem is with your registrar rather than another holder, contact the registrar first. If it isn’t resolved, you can take it to the Domain Name Commission.
Once you have your domain
Put it to work. Set up email on your own domain. Build a simple website with your services and contact details. Then make sure people can find it. Add it to your Google Business Profile and to a few trusted directories. NZ Webz offers free, human-checked listings for New Zealand websites. You can submit your website here, or compare listing plans if you want extra features.
Key points
- InternetNZ makes the .nz Rules. The Domain Name Commission regulates .nz and oversees disputes.
- .co.nz is the familiar choice. .nz is shorter. .com suits businesses with global plans but falls outside .nz rules.
- Registration is first come, first served, and you hold a licence, not ownership.
- Register the name in your business’s name and keep contact details accurate.
- Turn on auto-renew and track your renewal date.
- Check business names and trade marks before you register to avoid disputes.
Sources
InternetNZ: .nz Rules (version 3.2, effective 17 March 2026). Domain Name Commission: .nz Rules, Dispute help and home page. New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre: .nz Dispute Resolution Scheme.