We received an unexpected email from InternetNZ, the not-for-profit registry and regulator of .nz domains, yesterday. From 1 July 2025 they are adding 22% to the wholesale price of every .nz domain that you renew or register. Since it’s a wholesale increase, it affects every .nz domain retailer. We haven’t confirmed exactly how our prices will change yet, but we’ll post an update once we have.
InternetNZ says that since their last price rise in 2020 “the direct cost of running our infrastructure has increased by approximately 75%, and resource costs have also increased by approximately 30%”. With low-or-no growth in the overall number of .nz domain registrations, they are left to spread the burden over a more or less static number of paying customers.
Beat the price rise by renewing early
Current .nz prices will remain in place until the end of June. Any years you add to your domain by renewing before then - even if it’s still a long way from expiring - will be added at today’s price.
So lock your domains away, and lock in lower prices, now. See how to renew domains in the Knowledge Base.
How will .nz wholesale prices compare globally?
Picking a few common examples of regulated domains from around the world, .nz domains are looking expensive after this latest price hike. Comparing wholesale prices:
.comdomains cost around 20% less than.nz..audomains are under half as much..ukdomains are 40% as much.
Since there's only one registry for each TLD, there's no escaping wholesale pricing. For now the best option is to use today's renewal pricing to your advantage.
Price references:
[1] Verisign Increases .COM Domain Price Effective September 1, 2024, dynu.com
[2] Wholesale .au domain pricing, auDA
[3] UK Pricing Schedule, Nominet Registrar Resources