Dot Kiwi Ltd named as sole contender for .kiwi domain

Dot Kiwi Ltd has been announced as the only contending applicant in a bid to secure the .kiwi domain name.

In what is expected to become the largest expansion in the history of the Internet’s Domain Name System, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) revealed a total of 1,930 new generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) applications.

Tim Johnson, Dot Kiwi’s CEO, is thrilled to see the ICANN application progress into the next phase, moving Dot Kiwi a step closer towards their mission of offering a Kiwi identity globally via the internet.

“We look forward to being a global leader for innovation in this new wave of gTLD registries, and endorsing ICANN's belief in the process of domain name expansion. The opportunity to offer a new domain to Kiwis the world over is truly exciting,” says Tim.

Applications will now be subject to a 60-day public comment and objection period, and a rigorous, objective and independent evaluation system in which gTLD applicants are required to prove they have the technical and fiscal capability to run an internet registry.

There are currently only 22 gTLDs globally that companies can register with apart from the traditional geographic identifiers such as .co.nz

Support for Dot Kiwi’s application has been extensive and includes the Maori Internet Society who commented on Dot Kiwi’s collaborative approach in making .kiwi a culturally safe and innovative domain name.

“Dot Kiwi’s foresight to protect Māori God names, Iwi names and its innovative thinking to allow the .kiwi domain to be offered bi-lingually is a major achievement for New Zealand Māori, and is a benchmark for any company in the world wishing to be sensitive to Indigenous People’s needs,” says Karaitiana Taiuru, Chair of the Maori Internet Society.

Kea Global CEO Dr Sue Watson says .kiwi will provide the ideal online platform for Kiwis the world over to maintain their identity.

“.kiwi will provide New Zealand businesses and individuals with an exciting way to proclaim their New Zealand identity online and recognises that for Kiwis, New Zealand is always home, regardless of where in the world they’re living and working.”

Earlier this year Dot Kiwi established a trust fund to support the on-going rebuild of Christchurch following the 2011 and 2012 earthquakes.

"The ICANN announcement is a positive step forward in turning the trust into a reality. Dot Kiwi is establishing a commercially viable business that will also provide a sustainable solution in the contribution of funds towards the Christchurch rebuild,” says Tim.

A percentage of the revenue and profit before tax from the sale of .kiwi domains will be donated to a trust formed to receive, administer and distribute funds to Christchurch as they are earned and donated. The trust will be chaired by Sir John Hansen, a former judge of the New Zealand High Court.

Should Dot Kiwi successfully secure the .kiwi domain, the new domain is expected to be available for individuals and organisations to purchase by early 2013.