Internationalised Domain Names (IDN) in .nz - Consultation

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Currently, domain names in the .nz space only allow the 26 basic English (Latin) alphabet characters a-z, digits and the ‘-’ hyphen. The Māori alphabet has an additional five characters, the macronised vowels ā, ē, ī, ō, and ū, which are currently not allowed in .nz domain names.

Some countries are beginning to implement Internationalised Doman Names (IDNs). IDNs allow the use of virtually any internationally recognised characters. This enables the registration of domain names in languages that use non-English characters, such as Te Reo Māori.

A working group (WG) has been established by the InternetNZ committee responsible for the .nz domain space, the .nz Oversight Committee, to consider the implementation of IDNs into the .nz domain name space.

The initial focus of the IDN implementation will be on the 5 macronised vowels required to correctly spell Māori words in domain names. It does not affect web content, which may already use any script.

For more information on IDNs a list of resources can be viewed www.dnc.org.nz/idn-links.

Link: http://www.domainnews.com/registries...onsultation-2/

For this initial consultation the WG is seeking comments on the following

1) What issues do you think are associated with implementing IDNs? What is their impact, and how do you think they should be prioritised?

2) What other matters do you think the WG should consider?

Submissions can be sent by email to policies@dnc.org.nz, by fax to (04) 495 2115, or by mail to P O Box 11881, Wellington. As submissions are received they will be published on the DNC website at dnc.org.nz/idn-consult. Submissions should be received by Wednesday 19th December.

A list of submissions received to date, along with this announcement, are available from dnc.org.nz/story/30294-29-1.html