Effective date: 31 August 2026
The .NZ domain registry has introduced new rules affecting WHOIS Privacy services and the accuracy of registrant information. Depending on your domain's current status, one or both of the changes below may apply to you.
1. Changes to WHOIS Privacy Services
If your .NZ domain currently uses a WHOIS Privacy service, what happens next depends on how your domain is registered.
If your domain is registered to an individual
No action is required. You will be automatically moved to the .NZ registry's own privacy service from 31 August 2026. Your domain registration will remain active and unaffected.
If your domain is registered to a company or organisation
Under .NZ registry rules, the privacy service is only available to eligible individual registrants — it cannot be used by companies or organisations.
As a result, from 31 August 2026, the registrant details associated with your domain will become publicly visible in the WHOIS database. There is currently no alternative privacy option available for company or organisation registrants under .NZ registry rules.
Why is this happening?
The .NZ registry requires that domain registrations be associated with genuine individuals or lawfully constituted entities, and it permits only its own privacy service — which is limited to eligible individual registrants.
2. Updating Incomplete or Invalid Registrant Details
Some .NZ domains have registrant records containing placeholder, anonymised, or invalid information — for example, entries such as "Anon", "Redacted", "N/A", "None," or similar.
If this applies to your domain, you must update your registrant details before 31 August 2026.
Your registrant record needs to identify the genuine owner of the domain and include accurate, complete contact information.
Why this matters
This is a requirement set by the .NZ domain registry to ensure all domains are associated with accurate, verifiable ownership information. Domains that remain non-compliant after the deadline may be subject to further action by the registry, so we recommend updating your details as soon as possible.
Privacy after updating your details
- Individual registrants can still choose to use the .NZ registry's privacy service once your details have been corrected.
- Company or organisation registrants are not eligible for a privacy service, in line with the WHOIS Privacy changes described above.
How to Update Your Registrant Details
You can update your domain's registrant details by logging into your account and editing the contact information associated with your .NZ domain. If you need assistance, our support team is happy to help.
Key Dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 31 August 2026 | WHOIS Privacy changes take effect; any outstanding invalid or placeholder registrant details must be corrected by this date |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my registrant information becoming public? This only affects company or organisation registrants, as the .NZ registry's privacy service is limited to individuals. This is a registry-wide policy and applies to all .NZ domains in this category, regardless of provider.
Is there any other way to keep my business's details private? Not currently. Under the current .NZ registry rules, there is no privacy option available for company or organisation registrants.
What counts as "invalid" or "placeholder" registrant information? Entries that don't reflect a genuine registrant — such as "Anon", "Redacted", "N/A", "None," or similar generic or incomplete values.
What happens if I don't update my details in time? Your domain may be subject to further action by the .NZ registry. We recommend updating your details before the deadline to avoid any disruption.
Do I need to do anything if I'm an individual with WHOIS Privacy already active? No — you'll be automatically transitioned to the .NZ registry's privacy service, and no action is needed on your part.
If you have any questions about how these changes affect your domain, please contact our support team — we're happy to help.