What IPONZ Is
IPONZ — the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand — is the government agency that examines and registers trademarks, patents, and designs in New Zealand. It is the New Zealand equivalent of the USPTO. Its trademark register is public and free to search at iponz.govt.nz, and you do not need an account just to look.
You do need a free RealMe login and an IPONZ case management account to actually file an application or respond to the examiner, but searching the register is open to anyone. The principle is the same one behind any free trademark search: clear the name before you spend money filing it.
How to Search the IPONZ Trademark Register
- Go to iponz.govt.nz and open Trade marks → Search (the "Check if your trade mark is available" tool).
- Enter your proposed word mark. Search variations and phonetic equivalents, not just the exact spelling — "Kiwi" and "Kiwee" can conflict.
- Filter by class. A conflict only matters if it covers similar goods or services, so narrow to your Nice class.
- Open each result to check its status: Registered, Under examination, Accepted, Opposed, or Expired/Removed.
An expired or removed New Zealand mark is not automatically free to use. As in the US, the former owner may still hold unregistered (common law) rights through continued trading. Treat a "removed" status as a starting point, not an all-clear.
What the Results Tell You
- Registered — a live, enforceable mark. An identical or confusingly similar mark in your class is a hard blocker.
- Under examination / Accepted — an application ahead of yours in the queue. It has priority over a later filing.
- Opposed — a third party is challenging the mark during the three-month opposition window.
- Expired / Removed — lapsed for non-renewal or non-use; investigate before relying on it.
New Zealand Trademark Costs (2026)
| Stage | Fee (per class) |
|---|---|
| Application (online) | NZD $150 |
| Registration | NZD $350 |
| Renewal (every 10 years) | NZD $350 |
Always confirm current amounts on the IPONZ fee schedule before filing, as government fees change.
US Brand? Two Ways Into New Zealand
A US registration protects you in the United States only. To cover New Zealand you can:
- File directly with IPONZ — best if New Zealand is your only foreign market.
- Use the Madrid Protocol — designate New Zealand (a member since 2012) through a single WIPO application based on your US mark. This is more efficient if you are also filing in several other countries at once.
The Trans-Tasman Wrinkle Worth Knowing
New Zealand's trademark system has one genuinely unusual feature: since 2013, New Zealand and Australia have operated a trans-Tasman IP attorney regime, under which a trademark attorney registered in either country can practise trademark work in the other. It doesn't merge the two registers — a New Zealand registration still only covers New Zealand, and an Australian one only covers Australia — but it means the same firm can often prosecute your filings in both countries without bringing in separate local counsel for each. For US brands entering Australasia together, that's a small but real efficiency: one point of contact, two national registrations, instead of coordinating two unrelated agents across an ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IPONZ trademark search free?
Yes. Searching the New Zealand trademark register at iponz.govt.nz is free and open to anyone. You only need a RealMe account to file an application or respond to the examiner.
How much does a New Zealand trademark cost?
NZD $150 per class to apply online and NZD $350 per class on registration, with a NZD $350 per-class renewal every ten years. Confirm current figures on the IPONZ schedule.
Does my US trademark cover New Zealand?
No. A US registration has no effect in New Zealand. You must file directly with IPONZ or designate New Zealand through the Madrid Protocol.
What does "removed" mean on the IPONZ register?
It means the mark lapsed, usually for non-renewal or non-use. It is not a guarantee the name is free — the former owner may retain unregistered rights — so investigate before relying on it.