Last updated: 12 July 2026
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the domain catching (“dropcatching” or “backorder”) service provided atdropcatching.nz by Dropcatch NZ([PLACEHOLDER: registered company name and company number]) (“we”, “us”, “our”). By creating an account or placing an order you agree to these Terms.
1.1. We accept orders to attempt to register a specified .nz domain name on your behalf at the time it is released by the .nz registry (a “catch order”).
1.2. No guarantee. Dropcatching is competitive. While our average success rate exceeds 98%, we do not and cannot guarantee that any particular domain will be caught, or that a domain will ever be released at all (for example, the current registrant may renew or reinstate it).
1.3. We catch domains in the open .nz namespace only. We may decline orders for moderated, reserved, conflicted or otherwise restricted names, or for any domain at our discretion.
2.1. Every catch order is subject to review and approval by us. We aim to review all orders within 24 hours of placement. An order is not active until we confirm it (by email and in your dashboard).
2.2. We may decline any order at our sole discretion, including (without limitation) where the domain is restricted, the order appears abusive or mistaken, or your account is over its credit limit. Declined orders incur no charge.
2.3. Exclusivity. Catch orders are first come, first served: while an order for a domain is active, we will not accept another order for the same domain from any other customer.
2.4. You may cancel an order free of charge at any time before the domain enters final processing for release. Once in final processing, the attempt is committed and cannot be cancelled (you are still only charged on success).
3.1. Charges on success. Our charge is NZ$32.99 per successfully caught domain, comprising NZ$30.00 for the first year's registration of the domain and a NZ$2.99 catching fee (the prices shown at the time you place the order apply). If we do not catch the domain, nothing is payable.
3.2. We are not currently registered for GST; prices do not include GST. If we become GST registered we will give reasonable notice and update displayed pricing.
3.3. Account and credit. Fees are charged to your account balance when a catch succeeds. We do not require upfront payment; your account may carry a negative balance (a debt owing to us) up to a credit limit we set.
3.4. Payment is by New Zealand bank transfer to the account shown on your billing page and invoice email, and is due within 14 days of a successful catch.
3.5. If your account is overdue we may suspend order placement or approval, withhold domain handover, and/or recover the debt. You are liable for our reasonable costs of recovering overdue amounts.
4.1. To win a release-time race the domain must be registered at the instant it drops; the initial registration is therefore made through our systems. Following a successful catch we will contact you to transfer the domain to you as registrant (including, where applicable, providing the authorisation code (UDAI) or completing a registrar transfer to your nominated .nz registrar).
4.2. You must provide accurate registrant details and cooperate with the handover. The domain (and your holding of it) is subject to the .nz Rules and policies published by InternetNZ / the Domain Name Commission, as amended from time to time.
4.3. The charge covers the catch and the first year's registration made at the drop. Ongoing renewals after handover are between you and your chosen registrar.
4.4. If you do not complete handover (or pay) within 60 days of a successful catch despite our reasonable attempts to contact you, we may - after notice - treat the order as abandoned. Fees for the catch remain payable.
5.1. You are responsible for the accuracy of the domain names you order (including spelling), and for ensuring your use of any caught domain is lawful.
5.2. You warrant that ordering and holding the domain does not infringe any third party’s rights (including trade marks) and does not breach theAcceptable Use Policy. Disputes over rights to a name (including under the .nz Dispute Resolution Service) are your responsibility.
5.3. You must keep your account credentials secure and your contact email current. Everything done through your account is treated as done by you.
6.1. We may modify, suspend or discontinue any part of the service. Confirmed orders will be honoured or cancelled without charge.
6.2. We rely on third parties (including the .nz registry) and do not warrant uninterrupted or error-free operation of the website or catching systems.
7.1. Nothing in these Terms limits rights you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Fair Trading Act 1986 where those Acts apply and cannot be excluded. If you acquire the service for business purposes, the parties agree the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 does not apply.
7.2. To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability arising out of or in connection with the service is limited to the greater of (a) the fees you paid us in the 3 months before the event giving rise to liability, and (b) NZ$20. We are not liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, or loss of opportunity - including the value you attribute to any domain we did not catch.
8.1. You may close your account at any time once your balance is settled. We may suspend or close accounts that breach these Terms, are overdue, or are used abusively. Outstanding fees survive termination.
9.1. We may update these Terms; material changes will be notified by email or on this page and apply from the stated date. Continued use of the service is acceptance.
9.2. These Terms are governed by New Zealand law, and the New Zealand courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
9.3. Contact: support@dropcatching.nz· [PLACEHOLDER: registered office address]