Frequently Asked Questions

About .nz Domain Names

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Last Updated: April 3, 2015 1:36 PM

The .nz country code top-level domain name (ccTLD) is an extension that represents New Zealand. For companies that conduct business in New Zealand and individuals who want to reach the growing number of Internet users there, .nz domain names are a good investment. Registering a .nz domain name gives you regional recognition and an easy-to-manage Web presence.

The information below applies to the following country-code second-level domain names (ccSLDs) that we offer at this time:

NOTE: These ccSLDs are the ONLY .nz domain names we offer at this time. Other xxxxxx.nz domains are not currently available for sale.

  • .co.nz — Intended for commercial entities
  • .net.nz — Intended for network infrastructures, such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
  • .org.nz — Intended for non-profit organizations

Who can register .nz domain names?

Anyone can register .nz domain names on a first-come, first-served basis.

Domain names can be up to 63 characters, with a minimum of three characters, and can contain letters (a to z), numbers (0 to 9), and hyphens (except at the beginning, end or third or fourth characters of the domain name). You cannot register domain names with special characters such as & and #.

Which registry controls .nz domain names?

.nz Domain Name Commission is the registry for .nz domain names.

What are minimum and maximum registration lengths for .nz domain names?

The minimum and maximum registration length for .nz domain names is one year.

When do .nz domain names renew?

Your .nz domain name renews before its expiration date. The renewal date depends on whether the domain name is auto-renewed or renewed manually. Auto-renewal is attempted on the first day of the month prior to the domain name's expiration date. If the renewal attempt fails, we re-attempt renewal on the 10th of the month and again on the 20th of the month.

If we cannot auto-renew the domain name and you do not manually renew it by the 20th of the month prior to the expiration date, it must be redeemed. There might be a fee for the redemption. See Recovering Expired Domain Names for instructions on the redemption.

For example: Your .nz domain name expires on October 10. If your domain name does not renew automatically, you can renew it manually by September 20. For automatic renewals, we attempt to renew the domain name on September 1, September 10, and September 20.

Can I transfer .nz domain names to my account with you?

No. We do not currently support the transfer of .nz domain names to us.

How do I transfer .nz domain names from you to another registrar?

To transfer your .nz domain from us to another registrar, contact our support department for assistance.

Can I add privacy and protection to .nz domain names?

No. Domains By Proxy® private registration and Protected Registration are not available for .nz domain names.

Can I backorder .nz domain names?

No. We do not currently support the backorder of .nz domain names.

Can I move .nz domain names to another account with you?

Yes, but there are limitations. When you move the domain name, the registrant's first name, last name, and company name cannot be changed.

Can I change the registrant or other contact information on .nz domain names?

For changes to the registrant information on your .nz domain name, please contact our support for assistance.

You can update all other domain name contacts through the Domain Manager. See Update contact information for information.

If I change the nameservers for my .nz domain name, are there restrictions?

You can use any valid nameservers with .nz domain names. You can enter a maximum of 4 nameservers per domain name.

What is the refund policy for .nz domain names?

We do not support refunds upon cancellation for .nz domains at this time (registration, auto-renewal and manual renewal).