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    • .kiwi

    Generic top-level domainsIDNDNSSEC

    Overview

    • .kiwi is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) with emphasis on New Zealand and the colloquial term "kiwi" used for New Zealanders.
    • It is positioned as a New Zealand-focused geo/brand TLD meant for individuals and organisations that want to identify with the Kiwi identity.

    History

    • Introduced: 25 November 2013 (ICANN/new gTLD program timeline and delegation activity in late 2013 / early 2014).
    • Delegation to the DNS root: 3 January 2014.
    • Registry operator / manager: Dot Kiwi Ltd. (registry functions have involved partners over time).
    • Key milestones:
      • Sunrise period announced to run from 16 January 2014 to 17 March 2014.
      • Landrush period and general availability commenced in March 2014 after planning phases.
      • Registry Agreement with ICANN signed on 23 September 2013.
      • Technical backend was originally provided using CIRA's Fury product.
      • In 2024, InternetNZ signed a contract to provide registry and registrar support services for .kiwi.
      • Dot Kiwi reportedly paid a seven-figure sum to secure the string from ICANN.

    Usage and Audience

    • Intended audience: entities (companies and individuals) that identify with New Zealand and the "Kiwi" identity.
    • Open to registrants worldwide who want to associate with the kiwi identity; not restricted to New Zealand citizens.
    • Adoption figures (reported): just under 11,000 registered .kiwi domains and about 8,633 active websites as of January 2024; earlier milestones included ~4,600 activations by May 2014 and ~12,000 registrations by the first anniversary (May 2015).

    Registration Rules

    • Eligibility: .kiwi is open to any registrant wishing to associate with the Kiwi identity; there are no citizenship or residency requirements noted.
    • Sunrise/launch: Sunrise period ran 16 January 2014 to 17 March 2014, followed by landrush and general availability activity in March 2014.
    • Registry/management: Dot Kiwi Ltd is the registry operator/manager; contractual and technical arrangements have included partners such as CIRA and, later, InternetNZ support services.

    SEO and Brand Impact

    • Brand positioning: .kiwi was explicitly positioned to compete as a national identifier alongside New Zealand's country-code TLD .nz, offering a patriotic/identity-focused alternative.
    • Marketing angle: the string leverages the colloquial "kiwi" identity to create a recognizable New Zealand-branded space on the web; Dot Kiwi reported comparative early uptake among new gTLDs.

    Notable Cases or Examples

    • Distinction: .kiwi is distinct from the second-level .kiwi.nz under the .nz ccTLD; both coexist as separate options for New Zealand identification online.
    • Partnerships and management notable points:
      • Dot Kiwi teamed with registry/industry partners (including Minds + Machines) during rollout and operations.
      • The registry initially used CIRA's Fury backend technology.
    • Community/charitable note: Dot Kiwi stated it gives a percentage of registration revenue to help Christchurch earthquake victims.

    Operator

    DOT KIWI LIMITED

    Whois

    % IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object

domain:       KIWI

organisation: DOT KIWI LIMITED
address:      18 Viaduct Harbour Avenue
address:      Attn: Kensington Swan
address:      Auckland Central
address:      Auckland 1010
address:      New Zealand

contact:      administrative
name:         Angus Richardson
organisation: DOT KIWI LIMITED
address:      1961 West 14th Avenue
address:      Vancouver BC V6J2K1
address:      Canada
phone:        +17785586240
e-mail:       info@hello.kiwi

contact:      technical
name:         Don Slaunwhite
organisation: Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
address:      979 Bank Street, Suite 400
address:      Ottawa ON K1S 5K5
address:      Canada
phone:        +16132375335
fax-no:       +16132370534
e-mail:       support@fury.ca

nserver:      A.NS.NIC.KIWI 185.159.197.1 2620:10a:80aa:0:0:0:0:1
nserver:      B.NS.NIC.KIWI 185.159.198.1 2620:10a:80ab:0:0:0:0:1
nserver:      C.NS.NIC.KIWI 2a0e:dbc0:0:0:0:0:0:101 45.142.220.101
nserver:      D.NS.NIC.KIWI 185.159.199.1 2620:10a:80ac:0:0:0:0:1
ds-rdata:     64594 8 2 653865c0ada0492012931ca7746a7ec815b9e7681e202f4ce73657aa79cfe0e9

whois:        whois.nic.kiwi

status:       ACTIVE
remarks:      Registration information: http://hello.kiwi

created:      2013-11-25
changed:      2025-02-28
source:       IANA

    Registrars