Why I Stopped Buying .nz Domains From Big-Name Registrars

The .nz space is not just another product in a global catalogue — it has its own governance and rules.

.nz domains are overseen by the NZ Domain Name Commission, whose job is to keep the namespace fair, transparent and well-regulated. Through their site, you can check domain availability, and use the "Find a .nz provider" tool.

That tool matters. It shows which registrars are officially authorised to register and manage .nz domains under local rules, rather than just offering .nz alongside hundreds of other TLDs.

For New Zealand businesses, this local oversight is important. If something goes wrong with your domain, you want clear rules, local accountability, and a registrar that actually understands the .nz system.

The major international registrars like GoDaddy and Crazy Domains are not actually authorised .nz registrars.

Instead, they resell .nz domains through a third party that is authorised. That means there's an extra middle layer between you and the official .nz registry, which can create headaches when something needs to be fixed or transferred.

When a registrar isn't directly authorised with the Domain Name Commission:

• You don't have a direct relationship with the .nz registry.
• Local rules and policies may not be properly supported or explained.
• Issues such as disputes or DNS problems often take longer to resolve.

The Hidden Cost Behind "Cheap" Deals

Big-name registrars often advertise low entry prices, but those discounts usually apply only for the first year. Renewal prices can jump significantly once you're already locked in.

This "first-year cheap, later expensive" pattern might seem small for one domain, but it quickly multiplies if you manage several sites.

Even worse, because .nz isn't their core focus, you may still end up paying more while getting weaker local support.

Once I started paying attention to how .nz is run, the landscape made a lot more sense.

The Domain Name Commission publishes a list of authorised .nz registrars, and that list is where the real .nz providers stand out.

From there, you will see:

• NZ-based companies like 1st Domains, Metaname, Freeparking and Moreweb
• International registrars that have gone through the proper process, such as Porkbun and Name.com

Instead of guessing whether a registrar was "good for .nz", I could see who was actually operating within the .nz ruleset.

After testing a few different options, I ended up moving my .co.nz and .nz domains to Porkbun for some straightforward reasons.

Clear pricing without renewal shocks

Pricing is competitive and consistent. There is far less of the "cheap first year, expensive later" pattern, which matters when you plan to hold domains long-term.

Officially authorised for .nz

Porkbun appears on the Domain Name Commission's list of authorised registrars, which means it connects directly into the .nz system and plays by the same local rules as NZ-based providers.

A genuinely good control panel

Managing DNS, nameservers and renewals is simple. Changes apply quickly, and the interface feels designed for people who actually build and run websites.

Porkbun is not the only good option — there are excellent NZ registrars as well — but for my mix of .co.nz, .nz and other domains, it struck the best balance of pricing, proper .nz support, and an interface that doesn't get in the way.