New Zealandâs ccTLD .NZ passed the half million active registration mark on 8 October with the registration of drct.kiwi.nz.
To commemorate this landmark accomplishment, representatives from the .NZ domain name space are to give the Disabilities Resource Centre Trust (DRCT) – who registered the address – an award and $1000 prize at a ceremony on 8 October.
The milestone comes about as the Domain Name Commission (DNC) approved the launch of the secondary level domain .kiwi.nz, a move that is described as reflecting the growing level of sophistication and choice of the internet space in New Zealand. And they are currently undergoing a consultation to determine if .NZ should be opened up to second level registrations.
DNC Commissioner Debbie Monahan says that the fact that the 500,000th .NZ domain happened to also be a kiwi.nz ending demonstrates the evolving nature of New Zealandâs online landscape and shows that people do see benefits in having unique and relevant domain names.
âThis is a momentous occasion for New Zealand. Every day people choose .NZ domain names. This is because people are proud to have a uniquely Kiwi web presence and because of the diligent efforts of domain registrars who actively promote .NZ,â she says.
The CEO of the DCRT Bronwen Foxx says the news that her organisation registered the 500,000th .NZ domain name came as a complete shock.
âThe DRCT provides disability support services in the Eastern Bay of Plenty,â she says.
âOur mission is to assist people with disabilities to achieve their goals. We employ 180 people who provide home care services, information, vocational services, supported independent living, and field officer services to our clients.
âA web presence is a really vital tool for us providing services and information to our clients. We feel very privileged to get the domain name drct.kiwi.nz as we think this will also give us a wider market to sell from.â
The .NZ domain space is jointly managed by the DNC and the NZ Domain Name Registry who, alongside InternetNZ, protect and promote an open and free internet.