The Māori Internet Society is taking aim at a new wave of cybersquatters.

Chairperson Karaitiana Taiuru says problems are emerging not just in Māori but in the new top level domains.

He says names are being hijacked either for what seem to be racist motives or to hold iwi for ransom.

A Christchurch beauty salon is the registered address for Ngāi Tahu for kiwi.nz, and a Lower Hutt man has the Ngāpuhi, Tainui and Tūhoe names in the kiwi.nz domain space.

Mr Karaitiana says when a Hamilton businessman bulk registered Māori and Iwi names in the new Māori.nz domain space back in 2002, the society got an apology and the names gifted to the affected iwi.

He says this time the society has issued proceedings to get several names cancelled, and it is advising iwi on how to protect their identity or trademarks online.




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