Personal tools
You are here: Home → Proceedings → Annual General Meetings → Archive → 2003 → President's Report
 

President's Report

The 2002/2003 year has certainly been one of significant change and progress.

Much of the Society's efforts this year have focused on activities associated with the Shared Registry Service (SRS), with many milestones achieved, including:

  • formation of NZ Registry Services Ltd. (NZRS) to operate the .nz Registry, and appointment of directors on 13 April 2002
  • recruitment of the Domain Name Commissioner (DNC) during April 2002
  • appointment of .nz Oversight Committee (NZOC) members on 7 June 2002
  • delegation for the operation and oversight of .nz being made to the NZOC
  • creation of Domainz Future Task Force on 19 July 2002 (to decide Domainz's future with InternetNZ)
  • change of company name for NZ Internet Registry Ltd. (officially becoming Domainz on 30 August 2002)
  • 'go live' (operationally) of SRS on 14 October 2002.
  • resolution of Council (on 8 November 2002) that InternetNZ divest Domainz, preferably as a going concern
  • authorisation of first 3 competitive Registrars in November 2001 (by the end of November, more than 20 Registrars had applied for authorisation)
  • commencement of first 3 competitive Registrars direct operation with the SRS on 7 December 2002
  • resolution (subsequent to our balance date on 4 April 2003) that the domain name market in NZ be considered competitive, with 32 competitive Registrars operating with the SRS, and approximately 50% of domain names shifting away from Domainz

As a result of the attainment of these milestones, and the hard work of many, many people, the Registry is now technically sound and functional; policies and agreements (between registrants, Registrars, NZRS, DNC, NZOC and InternetNZ) are comprehensive; and financially, the Registry is operating successfully on much reduced domain name fees.

Politically, too; the SRS appears a huge success, having attracted little or no criticism - giving New Zealand arguably the most 'pro-Registrant' domain name system in the world!

The transition to the SRS is now in it's final stages, with the only major task remaining being the orderly disposal of Domainz, which is scheduled for completion by 30 September 2003.

While the SRS transition has obviously been the major focus of Council in the past year, it should not be forgotten that there have been many other significant accomplishments too, including:

  • processing of several second level domain name applications resulting in the approval of .maori.nz; progress on .geek.nz; and rejection of .bank.nz
  • significant progression of the Next Generation Internet (NGI / Internet2) project, including the publication of 'Collaborating at Speed' and establishment of NGI consortium
  • resolution that InternetNZ become an advocate for IPv6 in NZ
  • consolidation of internal procedures and processes, particularly in regard to ongoing work from the Constitutional Review and Strategic Planning task forces
  • reviews of International Committee structure and reporting
  • continuation of International Committee's advocacy (with some success) for the creation of a ccNSO, either within or outside of ICANN
  • strong representation of InternetNZ, and a positive contribution to national and international fora throughout the year
  • ongoing progress towards Best Practice for the operation of the Internet in NZ
  • receipt of 6,472 InternetNZ list messages during the year.

I therefore wish to thank Council for its contribution, support and effort during the past year.

In addition, I wish to extend considerable gratitude to the staff and governance personnel of NZRS, NZOC, Domainz and InternetNZ, who have responded so positively and professionally to the changing environment during the SRS transition, and who have demonstrated their commitment to InternetNZ's overarching policies of operating in a 'bottom-up, open and transparent' manner.

As the focus of Council diverts from .nz issues, hopefully Council will be able to meet less frequently in the upcoming year, yet still make greater progress on InternetNZ issues through greater functionality of Committees, Working Groups and Task Forces.

The new year will see a reduction in the overall size of Council, which means incoming Councillors will have increased workloads and responsibilities. A big ask, I know, given that Councillors are unpaid volunteers, but your dedication and commitment is not in question.

Looking back over the year, therefore, it has been one of strong achievement for our Society. And looking ahead, I sense that the forthcoming year will be one of consolidation and commitment to broader policy and political issues, both within New Zealand and internationally.

 

© 2001 InternetNZ
Last updated 04 June 2003

Document Actions