Freeparking & Crazy Domains Alternatives in NZ: Where to Move Your Site (2026)
- What happened to Freeparking?
- Why people look for an alternative
- What to look for in a new host
- Your main options in New Zealand
- How to switch without losing your site or email
- Common mistakes to avoid
- 10 questions to ask any new provider
- What does it cost to switch?
- Do not forget your email
- When it is fine to stay where you are
- Example: a small trades business moves in one afternoon
- Protect your brand while you are at it
- Frequently asked questions
If your website or domain was with Freeparking, you have probably been moved to Crazy Domains. Reports say Freeparking customers were transferred on 22 September 2025. Many Kiwi site owners now want a simpler, local-feeling home for their site. This guide shows the best Freeparking and Crazy Domains alternatives in NZ, what to check before you move, and how to switch without losing your website or email.
Last updated: November 2026. Prices and ownership details change, so always check the provider’s own website before you buy.
What happened to Freeparking?
Freeparking was a well-known New Zealand domain and hosting company. According to DomainCompare.nz, it no longer exists as a separate brand. Its customers were moved to Crazy Domains, a larger company that runs many domain brands.
A big change like this is a normal moment to ask: “Is this still the right host for me?” Nothing is wrong with asking. Your website is your shop window, so it should sit with a provider you trust.
Why people look for an alternative
When a small local company is absorbed into a bigger one, owners often notice changes. These are the most common reasons people start looking around:
- Support feels different. You may want to talk to a real person in New Zealand who knows your site.
- Renewal prices. A cheap first year can turn into a much higher renewal. Our guide to domain name costs and renewal prices in NZ shows how to spot this.
- Server location. Local servers help your pages load faster for Kiwi visitors. Read more in why choose NZ web hosting.
- Too many add-ons. Backups, SSL and email can cost extra on some plans.
- A bigger plan is needed. Your site has grown and shared hosting feels slow.
What to look for in a new host
Use this checklist when you compare any provider, including us.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Free SSL certificate | Needed for the padlock and for Google. See our free SSL guide. |
| Free migration | Saves you hours and avoids downtime. |
| NZ-based support | Faster help in your time zone. |
| Daily backups | Lets you undo mistakes or hacks. |
| Clear renewal price | No surprise bills in year two. |
| Easy upgrade path | Move from shared to WordPress or VPS later without starting again. |
| You own the domain | Your name should be in your account, not locked by the host. |
Your main options in New Zealand
There are three types of provider you can choose from.
1. A New Zealand hosting company
This is the best fit for most small businesses. You get local support, NZ servers and plain-English help. At Webhosting.co.nz our plans start from $4.49 a month, and free migration is included when you move across.
2. A big international host
These often show very low sign-up prices. Remember to check renewal prices, where the servers are, and whether support is available in NZ hours.
3. A website builder
Tools like Wix or Squarespace are simple, but you are locked into their system. If you may grow, normal hosting with WordPress gives you more freedom. Compare them in our hosting vs domain guide.
How to switch without losing your site or email
- Do not cancel yet. Keep your old account active until the move is finished.
- Back up everything. Download your website files, database and any emails you want to keep.
- Pick your new host and ask them to migrate the site for you.
- Test the new site using a temporary link before the public sees it.
- Point your domain to the new host by changing the nameservers.
- Move your email. Set up the mailboxes again, and copy old messages over.
- Cancel the old plan only after you have checked that the site and email both work.
For the full walk-through, read how to move your website to a new host in NZ.
Do you also want to move your domain?
You can keep your domain where it is and only move hosting. Or you can move both. If you want a single account for everything, follow our guide to transferring a .nz domain with a UDAI.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Cancelling the old host before the new site is live.
- Forgetting email, which stops working when DNS changes.
- Letting the domain expire while you are busy with the move.
- Picking only on first-year price.
10 questions to ask any new provider
Before you hand over your card details, send the provider these questions. A good company will answer clearly and quickly. If the answers are vague, treat that as a warning.
- What is the renewal price? Ask for the price in year two and year three, not only the sign-up deal.
- Where are the servers? New Zealand or Australia is better for Kiwi visitors.
- Is migration really free? Ask who does the work, how long it takes, and whether email is moved too.
- Are backups included? Ask how often they run and how long copies are kept.
- Is SSL free? It should be. See our free SSL guide.
- How do I reach support? Check for phone, email or chat, and whether staff work in NZ hours.
- Can I leave easily? You should be able to download your site and move your domain without a fight.
- Do I own my domain? The registrant should be you or your business, not the host.
- What happens if my site grows? Look for an easy upgrade to WordPress hosting or a VPS.
- What are the limits? Check storage, visitors, email accounts and the number of websites on the plan.
What does it cost to switch?
Switching does not have to be expensive. Here is what to expect:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Website migration | Often free with a new hosting plan |
| New hosting plan | From about $4.49 a month with us; compare in web hosting costs in NZ |
| Domain transfer (optional) | Often includes one year of renewal |
| Email move | Usually free if you use hosting email |
| Your time | An hour or two to check everything |
You may also have time left on your old plan. Ask whether a refund applies, but do not cancel until the new site works.
Do not forget your email
Email is the part people forget. Your website and email can be in two different places. If you change your nameservers, the old mail settings may disappear. To stay safe:
- List every mailbox you use, such as info@ and accounts@.
- Download or copy old emails before you move.
- Set up the new mailboxes first and test them.
- Only then switch your MX records.
Read business email hosting in NZ for set-up steps, and how to avoid spam folders.
When it is fine to stay where you are
Moving is not always the answer. It may be better to stay if:
- Your site is fast, secure and rarely goes down.
- You are happy with the renewal price.
- Support answers you within a day.
- You have no big changes coming up.
If you are unsure, test your site speed with our free website speed tester. A slow result on a basic page is often a sign that your hosting is the problem.
Example: a small trades business moves in one afternoon
Here is how a typical move might look for a small plumbing business with a five-page WordPress site and three email addresses.
- 10:00 am – The owner picks a new plan and asks for free migration.
- 11:30 am – The host copies the site and gives a test link. The owner checks the pages and the contact form.
- 1:00 pm – The three mailboxes are created on the new plan.
- 2:00 pm – Nameservers are changed to the new host.
- 5:00 pm – The site and email work. The owner keeps the old plan for another week “just in case”.
This is an example, not a promise. Timing depends on site size and your registrar. The key idea is the same: test before you switch, and keep the old plan until you are sure.
Protect your brand while you are at it
A move is a good time to tidy up your domains. Make sure auto-renew is on, your contact email is current, and you own every domain you use. If you have both a .co.nz and a .nz, read .nz vs .co.nz vs .com to decide how to use them. You can also tighten your site’s safety at the same time with our WordPress security guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Freeparking still around?
Reports say Freeparking was merged into Crazy Domains in September 2025, and its customers were moved across. Check with the company for your account details.
Will I lose my website if I move?
No, if you do it in the right order. Keep your old plan until the new one works, and ask for free migration.
Can I move only my hosting and keep my domain?
Yes. You only need to change your nameservers or DNS records to point to the new host.
How long does a move take?
The migration itself is often done within a day. DNS changes can take a few hours to show everywhere.
Do I need to change my email address?
No. Your email address stays the same as long as the domain stays the same. Only the mail settings change.
Ready to move? Compare our NZ web hosting plans or contact our team and we will help you switch for free.