The New Zealand Domain Name Commission is proposing to extend the .nz domain name space by allowing anybody to register domain names at the ‘second level’.

Key features of the .nz proposals include:

• Registration of .nz domain names could be at the second or third levels on an ongoing basis.
• Existing second level domains (such as .co.nz) will remain and continue to be supported.
• There will be no impact on any currently registered .nz domain names.
• Registrations at the second level will be on a “first come, first served” basis, except during the Sunrise Period and where there are currently multiple registrations of the same name in different second level domains.
• The Sunrise Period will be a designated window, where existing .nz domain name holders (registrants) can register their domain name/s at the second level if they are the only one that has that name at the third level.
• If two or more domain name holders have the same name at the third level, no-one  will be able to register that name at the second level unless they obtain the consent of the other third level name holders. Alternatively, if all agree, it could become a second level domain instead.
• A temporary amendment to the Dispute Resolution Service Policy to cover sub-domains of generic domain names registered at the second level.

The Commission has released a consultation paper elaborating its proposals, on which comment is invited before 27 September 2012.