.kiwi
| Status: | Active |
| country: | New Zealand Community |
| Manager: | Dot Kiwi Ltd |
| Registry Provider: | Minds + Machines |
| Type: | gTLD |
| Category: | Culture |
| PIC Submitted: | Download Here |
More information: 
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.kiwi is an active gTLD that was proposed in ICANN's new gTLD program. The TLD is based on a self-identifying title used by New Zealanders, and is intended for use by New Zealand identifying companies and individuals. A company founded by a New Zealand businessman living in Canada, Dot Kiwi Ltd, was the sole applicant for the gTLD and is now the Registry and manager of the domain. The proposed application succeeded and was delegated to the Root Zone on 03 January, 2014.[1]
Dot Kiwi has teamed up with Minds + Machines to manage the registry. Minds + Machines famously brought on New Zelander, and former ICANN Chairman, Peter Dengate Thrush after his tenure as an ICANN director ended following the approval of the new gTLD program at ICANN 41.
The TLD is positioned to directly compete with New Zealand's ccTLD, .nz, to act as the top level national identifier. .nz's manager, the non-profit InternetNZ, had not ruled out that the organization would also apply for the .kiwi TLD. However, instead of submitting its own application for .kiwi, InternetNZ approved the creation of the second level domain .kiwi.nz, for those who want to register personal domain names. Registrations for .kiwi.nz opened on September 11, 2012, but the company's policy states that the 2LD will not go live until 500 registrations are made.[2]
.kiwi does not have restrictions on citizenship or relation to New Zealand, which is one major differentiation between the ccTLD, .nz. It is open to any registrant that wants to associate themselves with the kiwi identity.[3]
Dot Kiwi Ltd states that is gives a percentage of revenue from registrations to help victims of the Christchurch earthquake.[4]
Contract Signed[edit | edit source]
On Sept 23, 2013 Dot Kiwi received a Registry Agreement signed by ICANN for .kiwi after passing the Initial Evaluation.[5]
Delegation and Availability[edit | edit source]
.kiwi was delegated to the Root Zone of the DNS on January 3, 2014, completing the successful application for the string.[1]
Sunrise[edit | edit source]
The Registry announced that the Sunrise Period for the string would begin 16 January 2014 and end on 17 March 2014.[6]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Delegated Strings, ICANN.org Retrieved 06 Jan 2014
- ↑ Fight breaks out over .kiwi, domainincite.com
- ↑ ApplicationDetails, gTLDResult.ICANN.org
- ↑ Dot Kiwi To Enhance Patriotic Falvour, Stuff.co.nz
- ↑ Nine More New gTLDs Get Contracts, Domain Incite Retrieved 24 Sept 2013
- ↑ TLD Startup Information, ICANN.org Retrieved 24 January 2014