NZOC - Terms of Reference

.nz Oversight Committee - Terms of Reference

Objective

The objective is the effective stewardship of the .nz domain name space.

Purpose

The purpose of the Committee is to discharge the Council's governance responsibilities for oversight of:

• The general operation of the .nz domain name space and the contracts that underpin it;

• The authorisation of registrars;

• The development and implementation of .nz policies; and

• International issues and developments as they affect .nz domain name space.

Activities

Activities of the .nz Oversight Committee include:

• Developing a strategic view of .nz;

• Establishing the priorities for and supervising the Office of the Domain Name Commissioner;

• Regularly reviewing the robustness of the registrar market and the level of competition between registrars;

• Establishing standards for performance monitoring of the Domain Name Commissioner, and the registry;

• Setting a budget for .nz domain name space oversight activities and establishing the registry fees;

• Approving policy changes relating to the .nz domain name space;

• Publishing information on the .nz domain name space;

• Approving the risk management strategy for management of the .nz domain name space (includes disaster recovery planning etc); and

• Other responsibilities as delegated by the InternetNZ Council.

Authorities

The .nz Oversight Committee has full authority (within budget) to take decisions on issues related to the .nz domain name space, including but not limited to:

• Approving .nz policies;

• Authorising and de-authorising a registrar;

• Reviewing the performance of the registry on an annual basis pursuant to its contract;

• Requesting information from registrars and the registry pursuant to the contracts;

• Approving technical changes to the register and DNS (following appropriate consultation);

• Initiating reviews of specific areas - registry operations, a specific registrar etc - and appointing third parties to assist in investigation(s) of any aspect of domain name activity within .nz;

• Seeking external advice as required;

• Appointing the Domain Name Commissioner, conduct the annual review of their performance and approve remuneration changes;

• Approving participation at international meetings and selecting the participants at these;

• Directing the Domain Name Commissioner as appropriate;

• Publishing reports on .nz; and

• Issuing press releases on .nz issues.

Honoraria of $3,000 per annum is payble for the position.

Further details about the Oversight Committee and the Office of the Domain Name Commissioner can be found at www.dnc.org.nz.  The policies and procedures for the operation of the .nz domain name space are found here.

If you have any additional queries please email keith at internetnz.net.nz.