I am a "new boy" to the Internet; my experience stretches back just over 2.5 years. I'm no "guru" pre-packaged with some strong in-depth Internet technology base to draw from, I'm simply a business minded person.
I manage a ccTLD within a policy framework created by the Domainz shareholder, ISOCNZ, and I've been nominated for a very important role -- to represent the views of all 250 ccTLD's at the Names Council of the DNSO.
However, some .nz constituents strongly believe election to this role may be in direct conflict with my day-to-day job (check out dejanews.com, under "ISOCNZ"). As some of the comments may be deemed "R18", countries can ensure that they do not vote with "Eyes wide shut" :)
So why vote for me?
The Internet is of fundamental economic importance to New Zealand -- tucked away in the bottom right hand corner of the world, we are remote from many of our traditional markets .
So, it is vital we ensure that any changes planned at a Global governance level are implemented without risk to the stability of our own Internet in New Zealand.
We are strongly motivated to see that changes are well planned, thought through, and work.
As ccTLD's now have the opportunity to influence those changes via the Names Council, I am prepared, if elected, to help represent the voices of all 250 countries.
What base assumptions can you make?
New Zealand has played an extremely active role in the Governance process since its inception in early 1988. You will find a list of contributions that we have made to the process during the period.
In addition, I have been an active promoter of sound Registry practices, having spoken at a variety of ccTLD plenary forums and other ICANN related meets.
You should be able to glean from the material below, an insight as to the .nz approach -- our base 'modus operandi'. This tends to be light on red-tape, and high on customer focus -- quite business like.
How effective will I be?
I believe that the job of the 3 NC delegates is *not* to set policy per se.
Their job is to draw on the policies developed by all 250 ccTLD members, and to represent that collective policy to the NC.
One major impediment to effectiveness will be to ensure that ccTLD's acting as a "body corporate", can join together to formulate and express their policy needs in relation to ICANN.
Beneath that, each individual country will need to determine how they get country specific policy issues conveyed to elected NC members.
Elections is but one part of an ongoing process, and as a body, the 250 ccTLD's will need to work through what has to be done to firm these other areas.
And finally, life before the Internet...
Currently I am the CEO of Domainz, the company formed to manage the .nz Register. We were formed to put the .nz space on a solid commercial footing when the Universities divested themselves of this responsibility in 1996.
Prior to that I've held a variety of senior management positions, including majorTelco's, Chartered Accountants, local Government and the Manufacturing industry.
Much of the work has been involved in start up, turnaround and divestment mode. In recent years, the activities have been diverse, including; building the Telecommunications network for New Zealand's first private TV channel, TV3; managing the Distress & Safety Marine Radio service for New Zealand; as well as management of a Flying training establishment.
I moved from the UK over 10 years ago to settle in New Zealand, and have spent over four years operating in Asia.
Educationally, I am UK qualified at Honours degree level in two separate areas; I.T. and later in life, Marketing. I'm also qualified at Masters level, with an MBA majoring in Finance.
I was (until consumed by email :() a keen golfer, and a member of Mensa and enjoy keeping fit and playing bridge.
NEW ZEALAND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROCESS
Copied with permission of ISOCNZ.
.nz has had extensive involvement with the process associated with the creation of ICANN:
i. ISOCNZ monitored the formation of the IAHC and the MoU
ii. ISOCNZ monitored both the Green and White papers
iii. ISOCNZ made written comment on the Green and White papers http://www.isocnz.org.nz/magaziner.htm )
iv. Domainz made submissions to the Green Paper http://www.domainz.net.nz/newsstand/usgovt.html )
v. ISOCNZ and Domainz were part of the Boston Working Group (BWG) submission to the US Government, late 1998. As the BWG submission was only one of two formal responses to the IANA draft that preceded formation of ICANN, NZ was involved in a number of audio conferences with Ira Magaziner and the US Dept of Commerce
vi. ISOCNZ and/or Domainz attended three of the international meetings prior to establishment of ICANN
vii. ISOCNZ has, through Domainz, participated in the WIPO process, attending the Sydney meeting and presenting submissions in response to RFC-2 http://www.domainz.net.nz/newsstand/wipo2.html
viii. ISOCNZ made written submission on WIPO RFC-3 [The New Zealand Ministry of Commerce made comment to WIPO endorsing ISOCNZ's submission.] http://www.isocnz.org.nz/WIPOresponse2.html
ix. ISOCNZ and Domainz attended March 1999 Singapore ICANN meeting
x. ISOCNZ had representation at the April 1999 FICPI/AAPA meeting, Wellington, New Zealand
xi. ISOCNZ organised a New Zealand National Summit on the proposed changes to the governance of the Internet arising out of WIPO RFC-3 and the ICANN Singapore meeting. A national position was created http:///www.isocnz.org.nz/nzposition.html
xii. ISOCNZ and Domainz attended the May 1999 Berlin ICANN Meeting and made representations on the WIPO recommendations (see http://www.isocnz.org.nz/nzoralicann599.html)
My regards,
PATRICK J O'BRIEN
Fax: (04) 473-4569
Voice: (04) 473-4567
Mail: P.O.BRIEN@DOMAINZ.NET.NZ
Web: http://www.DOMAINZ.NET.NZ