Got a question about registering or transferring a domain name? Here are the most frequently asked questions and answers. Feel free to contact us if you can't find the answer to your question.

• What is a domain name?
• What does it mean to register a domain name?
• Who can register a domain name?
• What characters can a domain name contain?
• Oops, I made a spelling mistake - can I get a refund?
• How long it will be before my domain name shows up on the Internet?
• Who is the owner of a Domain Name?
• What if somebody else registered my domain name in their name?
• What do I need to do before transferring a domain with Create Hosting?
• What is a UDAI?
• What is an EPP Code or Authorisation Code?
• Can I register and host a domain with Create Hosting but point it to another server?
• What are your nameserver details?
• What is local presence?
• How do I transfer a .co.uk or .org.uk domain?
• When can I transfer my .nz domain to Create Hosting?
• When can I transfer my .com /.net /.org domain to Create Hosting?
• What happens to a domain when it expires?

What is a domain name?

A domain name is a unique name that can be used to identify and access your website on the Internet. It is also used as your email address - the name to the right of the @ sign in the email address. For example, createhosting.co.nz is the domain name for this website and info@createhosting.co.nz is one of the email addresses for this website.

What does it mean to register a domain name?

The Internet Domain Name System (DNS) consists of a directory, organised hierarchically, of all the domain names and their corresponding computers registered to particular companies and persons using the Internet. When you register a domain name, it will be associated with the computer on the Internet you designate (the DNS information) during the period that the registration is in effect. It is just like registering a car.

Who can register a domain name?

Anyone over the age of 18, or a registered company can register a domain name. Some domain extension have specific criteria. Please see our Domain Pricing page for a full breakdown.

What characters can a domain name contain?

Domain names may only contain lowercase a-z, 0-9, and the - (hyphen) character. A hyphen may not begin or end a domain name. Domain names can be up to 63 characters long, excluding the extensions. Domain names should be in lowercase, but are not case-sensitive.

Oops, I made a spelling mistake - can I get a refund?

If you make a mistake with a .nz name you can contact us within 5 days to cancel the domain name and receive a refund/credit from the respective registry. All other extensions such as .com will be subject to standard charging; the domain name registration fees are non-refundable and the registration period cannot be cancelled or shortened. When the registration period is over you can choose not to renew. Please be careful!

How long it will be before my domain name shows up on the Internet?

For all .nz domains, generic (gTLD) domains (.com, .org, .net, .biz, .info, .us) and some ccTLD domain names (.ca, .tw, .jp, .in, .cn, .co.uk), registration is instantaneous. Other domains can take a few hours to a few days to register, depending on the complexity and what supporting documentation is required. New domains and changes to domains can take up to two days to become effective because of the number of networks involved, and the fact that those networks are controlled by several different agencies. This delay applies to all domains and all Registrars, and not just Create Hosting. It has to do with the way domains work and is unfortunately unavoidable.

Please allow for this delay when planning websites or configuring a domain to work with your email. For a .nz domain name, the name may only take a few minutes or hours to propagate through and be available for use.

Who is the owner of a domain name?

A domain name is not actually owned but rather it is licensed for use for the duration of the registration period. The legal owner of a domain name is the individual or organisation whose name is listed at the time of registration as the Registrant Contact. These contact details are made publically available in a public "whois" database which is provided by registrars and/or the registry for the domain. The owner or registrant remains the owner of a domain name regardless of whether the administrative contact has been changed since then.

What if somebody else registered my domain name in their name?

If you believe you are entitled to a particular domain name, for example if you own a suitable trademark, or if there is a dispute regarding the registration of a domain name, you can either take legal action against the current registrant of the domain name, or for .nz domain names, you can take advantage of the Dispute Resolution Service provided by the Office of the Domain Name Commissioner. For more information on the Dispute Resolution Service, and to lodge an online complaint, go to www.dnc.org.nz/drs.

What do I need to do before transferring a domain with Create Hosting?

If you are transferring an existing domain name that is currently being used for website or email, these services can break. To ensure continuity of services, you should prepare your domain name for transfer. If you have access to the SOA preferences for the domain name, set the TTL (time to live) to a low value like 60 seconds. You will need to do this about 24 hours in advance of the proposed transfer, as most domains have a TTL of 24 hours. You will also need to determine your existing email configuration so that you can set this up on your new server once the domain name transfer has been initiated, so that you will be able to recieve email. Do not cancel any existing services with your current registrar/host until a few days after the transfer, and when you are certain that it has been successful.

Please be sure to contact us beforehand if you are concerned and would like assistance. We do this all the time and are happy to help ensure a smooth transfer.

What is a UDAI?

A UDAI (Unique Domain Authentication ID) is a randomly generated eight digit code consisting of numbers and letters in upper and lower case. A UDAI is unique to each .nz domain name and is required to authenticate requests to transfer a domain from one registrar to another. This needs to be obtained from your current registrar for authorisation (which they must provide without charge or delay). When a new UDAI is generated, it can ONLY be sent to the email address listed in the Registrant Contact details for the domain name.

What is an EPP Code or Authorisation Code?

Like the UDAI, the EPP Code is basically a password for a domain name (applies to .com, .net, .org domain names). It is a security measure, ensuring that only the domain name owner can transfer a domain name. You will need it if you are wanting to transfer the domain to another registrar or when transferring to Create Hosting. This needs to be obtained from your current registrar for authorisation. It can ONLY be sent to the email address listed as the Administrative Contact for the domain name.

Can I register and host a domain with Create Hosting but point it to another server?

Absolutely, you can either point your domain to another host's nameservers or you can take advantage of our Advanced DNS Management functionality to control the domain name records (such as the A records, CNAME records, MX records and SRV records).

What are your nameserver details?

We use geographically dispersed DNS nameservers for redundancy.

Our Name Servers are as follows:

Master (Primary) Name Server Name: ns1.createhosting.net.nz
Master (Primary) Name Server IP: 66.199.228.130
Slave (Secondary) Name Server Name: ns2.createhosting.net.nz
Slave (Secondary) Name Server IP: 60.234.72.71
Additional Name Server Name: ns3.createhosting.net.nz
Additional Name Server IP: 206.123.113.132
Additional Name Server Name: ns4.createhosting.net.nz
Additional Name Server IP: 85.13.216.100

What is local presence?

Some ccTLD's require a "local presence" in order to register a domain in that country. As a non-resident, we can assist you in protecting your brand by allowing you to still register your domain using a pre-arranged local presence contact. You remain the full registrant contact for the domain.

How do I transfer a .co.uk or .org.uk domain?

Because .uk transfers are a push/pull process, you must initiate a transfer request AND submit a request to the losing registrar. Contact your current registrar and request to retag the domain name to the IPS tag ENOM. This starts the transfer away process.

It does not matter the order in which the requests are submitted, however, if you initiate the transfer first, you must submit the request to the losing registrar within one week. If initiating the request to the losing registrar first, you must initiate your transfer with Create Hosting by either the 8th of current month or the 8th of the following month, whichever is closest to the current date.

Please note: .uk domains don't use authorization codes or registrar locks.

When can I transfer my .nz domain to Create Hosting?

A .nz domain name cannot be transferred within 5 days of the initial registration. In some cases you can request a cancellation and refund of any registration fees from your current registrar if still within the 5 day grace period. Please contact your current registrar if you wish to do so.

When can I transfer my .com /.net /.org domain to or away from Create Hosting?

A .com /.net /.org domain name cannot be transferred within 60 days of the initial registration date or from the date that it was transferred, unless transferring back to the original registrar.

What happens to a domain when it expires?

When a domain expires it becomes inactive immediately, and all the services attached to it, such as a website and/or email cease to function since the domain name no longer resolves.

.co.nz, .org.nz, .net.nz domains

The domain will go into a Pending Release status (deactivated) for 90 days. The domain will be available for reactivation during the period by the original owner. If the domain is not reactivated within this period it will be deleted from the registry and released back into the 'pool' for anyone to purchase as a new domain.

There will be an additional charge of up to NZD$7.50 to reactivate the domain whilst in Pending Release status.

.com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ca, .cn, .co, .co.uk, .eu, .in, .jp and .tw domains

The domain will remain available for reactivation at your regular domain rate during a grace period of up to 29 days. The grace period is not guaranteed and once a domain expires, it may be disposed of at any time according to the registration agreement.

After the grace period lapses, the domain may then go into a Redemption Grace Period. A redemption grace period can be between 30 and 90 days, and there will be an additional charge of up to USD$250 (depending on domain extension) to reactivate the domain during this time.

If the domain is not recovered within this time it will be deleted by the registry and it will become available for anyone to purchase as a new domain.