Most of those with existing .nz names – for example .co.nz, .org.nz, .net.nz, etc. – are able to register or reserve their name direct at .nz before anybody else. They have what is called ‘Preferential Registration or Reservation (PRR)’.

Importantly, however, if a person with PRR hasn’t acted on their registration or reservation options by 1pm, 30 March 2015, the shorter name will become available for first-come first-served registration.

Others with a ‘conflicted’ .nz name are not affected by this deadline, but the Domain Name Commission Limited (DNCL) is encouraging these people to also be aware of their status and options as soon as possible.

With the final countdown now on, Domain Name Commissioner Debbie Monahan says it’s important that all those eligible to register or reserve before anybody else consider their options soon.

“Over 50,000 shorter .nz names have so far been registered or reserved. However, there are tens of thousands of people entitled to get the shorter version of their name first who are yet to take action.”

Registering one of the new, shorter .nz names is done through any .nz domain name registrar. Reserving is a free service and can only be done at a dedicated website set up by the Domain Name Commission – anyname.nz.

Those with PRR can also choose to do nothing, which is fine. The most important thing, says Monahan, is that they’re aware of their preferential registration and reservation options.

“Whatever option a person chooses – register, reserve, or do nothing at all – their existing .nz domain name will continue as it always has – provided the existing name is kept registered.”

Some people may find that the shorter .nz version of their name is ‘conflicted’. A conflicted name is one that’s been registered in at least two ‘second levels’. For example, one person may hold the .co.nz version, while another may hold the .org.nz version.

Those with a conflicted name can make their views known at anyname.nz.

“For those with a conflicted name time is on your side and, though you’re encouraged to act as soon as you can, there is no specific deadline. For those with PRR however the countdown is on as the 1pm, 30 March 2015 deadline is fast approaching,” says Monahan.

To learn more about this change and the importance of 1pm, 30 March 2015 for those with Preferential Registration and Reservation (PRR), visit anyname.nz.

This NZ Domain Name Commissioner news release was sourced from:
dnc.org.nz/story/those-nz-domain-names-urged-act-1pm-30-march-deadline