.nz vs .co.nz: Domain Choices for Kiwi Businesses

For a New Zealand business, the obvious domain choice is a local one. The two main options are the long-standing .co.nz and the shorter .nz, both overseen by InternetNZ with oversight from the Domain Name Commission. Here is how they compare.

.co.nz: the familiar Kiwi default

For years .co.nz has been the standard commercial address for New Zealand businesses. It reads instantly as local and trustworthy, and there is plenty of availability. If you serve a New Zealand market, .co.nz is a safe, recognised choice.

.nz: shorter and modern

Registration directly at .nz opened in 2014, giving businesses a shorter, cleaner option. In many cases the matching .nz was reserved for the existing .co.nz holder. If you own the .co.nz, check whether you can claim the matching .nz and consider holding both so no one else takes the shorter version.

Trust and search

A local extension helps customers recognise you as a New Zealand business and helps search engines connect your site with New Zealand queries. Neither .nz nor .co.nz is a ranking trick on its own, but local relevance, good content and fast hosting together make the difference.

Simple guidance

• Serving New Zealand customers: .co.nz is the trusted default.
• Want a shorter address: consider .nz, ideally alongside your .co.nz.
• Hold both where you can to protect your name.
• Whichever you choose, host it close to home and secure it with SSL.