It’s not DNS#
The thing I’m procrastinating on right now is the “DNS as Code” talk I will be delivering at KiwiPyCon 2025. What better way to procrastinate than write a blog post.
This is the 0.1.0 release note for OpsDev.NZ: not a product, but a collective inside StartMeUp.nz Limited that keeps the day-to-day lights on. Think platform engineering with fewer buzzwords and more coffee.
While working on the DNS-as-code tooling this talk is about, and the Python modules that back it, I ended up spending a lot of time with pytest. It’s the test framework that lets you keep adding features without breaking yesterday’s work. Somewhere between the docs and the fixtures I noticed the project is funded through Open Collective. We have spent years wondering how to fund the tools we rely on; Open Collective is one answer.
The Future Is Collective#
StartMeUp.NZ exists to help local founders build sustainable companies while not emptying out the bank account. Platforms like Open Collective make that practical for small teams. When you have a new idea, the last thing you want to do is worry about forming a company, hiring an accountant, and finding a lawyer. Why deal with all that paperwork when you are not even sure the idea will take off?
If you have a small group of keen self-starters, form a collective, not a company. It’s easier, cheaper, and less of a headache when things don’t work out and you want to disband.
Early on in our journey we had a chat with Gift Collective about whether StartMeUp.NZ could live under their umbrella. After a straightforward conversation we all agreed we’re in just enough of a grey area that we should run our own fiscal hosting. That chat reframed StartMeUp.NZ: we’re a limited liability company that can give early-stage startups an edge by starting out first as a collective. Incorporation, accountants, and lawyers will always be there, but they can wait until the idea takes off. And even then, do you really need them? We can manage the cash flow for you for a small fee and support you in other ways as well.
If you are thinking about starting up a new charity or social enterprise there’s a perfect home waiting for you at Gift Collective. If you’re launching a commercial or mission-based enterprise with a New Zealand flavour, and you use open source software somewhere in the mix, come talk to us.
Introducing OpsDev.NZ#
OpsDev.NZ is one of these collectives, operating under the StartMeUp.NZ fiscal umbrella so we can deliver practical IT operations, platform engineering, and DevOps support to local startups. The goal is simple: keep the foundation solid so founders can focus on shipping product.
Why OpsDev.NZ exists#
We flip the DevOps script. The “Dev” part gets the confetti; the “Ops” part keeps customers happy. OpsDev.NZ is the small crew focused on:
- DNS as Code automation. The first thing we shipped is an OctoDNS provider for Metaname because we like supporting a local registrar with good API docs and a test environment.
- Infrastructure you can fork. Every workflow lands in Git (docs, tests, CI). Copy the playbook if it helps. If you need a hand, ask.
- The boring-but-critical glue. Monitoring, backups, secret management, compliance checklists. None of it is glamorous; all of it keeps revenue from falling over at 2 a.m.
We’re also quietly standardising on a toolkit that fits the mission: Metaname for DNS, ForwardEmail for mail, OpenCollective.org for finance. That stack will grow, but it’s a solid trio to start with.
How 0.1.0 shook out#
- Fiscal hosting with training wheels. StartMeUp.NZ currently hosts two collectives and we’re trialling a “year of service” program where aligned startups get their first year of hosting fees waived.
- Insurance rabbit hole. We priced professional indemnity and public liability cover so we can take support contracts for clients that require this. We’re still assessing if the collective needs it, but the funding is there if we decide to move forward.
- Tooling you can inspect. Everything lives in the public OpsDev.NZ repo and on opsdev.nz. If you spot a better way to automate something, open an issue or a PR.
Underneath all of that we’re still focusing on our own infrastructure, using and building on open source tools and workflows.
What’s next#
- KiwiPyCon 2025 prep. Expect a mix of DNS horror stories, practical secret management, and how starting with automation keeps your product manageable.
- Platform tools. Partner collectives will automatically get 1Password, ForwardEmail.net, and DNS zone management service to start so they can focus on their product.
- Open Collective automation. Tools to manage collectives and transactions on the Open Collective platform.
If you want a contract to help untangle tech debt or sponsor open source work, email john@opsdev.nz.
Thanks for sticking with us while we find our operating rhythm. The mission is unchanged: dependable operations in service of ambitious New Zealand ideas.