Macrons will be available in New Zealand internet domain names for the first time from next week, enabling Te Reo Maori to be correctly used in domain names, in time for Maori Language Week.
Macrons are vowels with dashes over the top to aid pronunciation of Te Reo Maori words.
From Monday morning, people would be able to register .nz domain names with macrons, through the same system as all other .nz domains - through a registrar, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Domain Name Commissioner Debbie Monahan said the launch was significant because New Zealand's indigenous language could now be correctly represented online.
The launch coincided with Maori Language Week, which also began on Monday.
"The addition of macrons to the .nz domain name space is a step forward for online identity and the Internet in New Zealand."
The macron domain names were the culmination of years of work at local and international levels, she said.
NZPA