Openness

Every Internet-capable computer or device needs a numeric IP (Internet Protocol) address to be able to connect to the global Internet. Most computers and devices connect using the IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) address standard, which allows for over four billion addresses. The problem is that the number of Internet-enabled devices is growing so quickly that there are now not enough IPv4 addresses to go around.

In 2009/2010 the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) deployed a voluntary filtering system that allows ISPs to block access to a blacklist of child abuse material. This attracted robust comment among InternetNZ members and a working group was formed to technically analyse the filtering system and consider its policy implications.

New Zealand is one of nine countries negotiating the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, which aims to bring states from East Asia, the South Pacific and North America towards greater economic integration. The TPP could require countries to enact stronger intellectual property laws, some of which could undermine an efficient and open Internet.

Internet peering refers to the voluntary interconnection of separate Internet networks for the purpose of exchanging traffic between the customers of each network.