InternetNZ manages the .nz domain, with its Domain Name Commission subsidiary policing website addresses.
A “whois” search on the DNC’s website lists a “Jack Holmes” of 192 Balmoral Rd, Auckland – the address of a McDonald’s - as the person who registered atparking.co.nz.
The Herald called “Jack Holmes” 027-prefixed cellphone number, also listed. An automated Spark message said the number was not allocated.
The Registrar website – which “Jack Holmes” would have used to register atparking.co.nz – was gandi.net, whose website says it is based in Paris.
Domain Name Commission responds
“On 25 March, the Domain Name Commission was made aware of the domain name atparking.co.nz that was allegedly being used maliciously. The DNC is currently undertaking a number of urgent process checks and the outcome of that may be known as early as close of business today,” Domain Name Commissioner Barbara Pearse said through a spokesperson.
“In accordance with the .nz rules, the DNC may determine to suspend or cancel a domain name in two ways. The first is if the domain name holder is not contactable at the details provided in the registration record. The second is if the domain name holder does not verify its identity which would establish whether the eligibility criteria to register a domain name was met or not.”
Why the delay?
Why did it take so long to establish that a phone number and address were bogus - something the Herald could establish within two minutes with call and a Google Maps search?
‘The DNC had attempted to contact the domain name holder on the phone number and at the email address provided in their registration record. In accordance with the .nz rules the DNC is required to make more than one attempt to contact the domain name holder and give the domain name holder an opportunity to respond,” Pearse said.
“This is consistent with the DNC obligations to abide by the principles of natural justice. The DNC is required to meet the evidential threshold before making any determination and imposing any sanction.
“At times, there may be a genuine mistake made when registering a domain name. For example, a digit is transposed in the telephone number. That is why the DNC generally attempts to contact domain name holders via two different methods.
“Suspending or cancelling a .nz domain name is the strongest penalty that can be imposed on a domain name holder. If DNC ‘gets it wrong’ that decision could significantly impact a legitimate domain name holder’s business or livelihood. It is appropriate that an opportunity is provided to domain name holders to be heard and respond.”
The DNC also defended the timeframe, saying,”The DNC received a referral at 1.35 pm on 25 March. An urgent process commenced on 26 March and the domain name was suspended on 27 March just after midday — less than 48 hours after being notified.”
And notwithstanding it had taken atparking.co.nz offline, the DNC said:
“The DNC’s role is not to ‘police website addresses’ in reference to URLs and how domain names are used. Domain Name Holders also known as ‘Registrants’ are required to ensure all information they provide to register a .nz domain name is accurate and complete and to keep that information up to date. The DNC can monitor compliance with those obligations but it does not have a role to monitor how every .nz domain name is used.”
Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.
