TrademarksHubThe worldwide trademark network
Feed

Country guide · Updated October 2026

Trademark registration in New Zealand

Who registers trademarks in New Zealand, what it costs, how long it takes and what foreign owners need — with links to the official sources and IP firms that can file for you.

Find a trademark firm in New Zealand

Quick answer

Trademarks in New Zealand are registered with the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ); the official application fee is NZD 100 per class, and third parties can oppose within 3 months from advertisement in the Journal. A registration lasts 10 years and can be renewed. New Zealand can be designated through the Madrid System.

Checked against official sources on 11 October 2026 · see sources

Office
IPONZ
Official fee
NZD 100 / class
Madrid Protocol
Member since 2012
Opposition
3 months from advertisement in the Journal; ext…
Protection
10 years
Multi-class filing
Allowed

Featured trademark firms in New Zealand

Your firm here Reach brand owners looking for trademark help in New Zealand. Get featured →

Featured places go to the firms with the highest monthly bid. Bid for a place →

Official fees in New Zealand

Official feeAmount
Application (per class, standard)
excl. GST; GST applies only to NZ-based applicants		NZD 100
Application (per class, pre-approved terms)
excl. GST		NZD 70
Application based on a search and preliminary advice report issued within 3 months (per class)
excl. GST		NZD 50
Search and preliminary advice (per class)
optional; excl. GST		NZD 50
Renewal (per class, every 10 years)
excl. GST		NZD 200
Notice of opposition
excl. GST		NZD 350

Official office fees only (schedule as of 2026-10). Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.

How to register a trademark in New Zealand

  1. Check distinctiveness and availability using IPONZ's Trade Mark Check and the trade mark search database.
  2. Build the goods and services specification with the IPONZ Specification Builder, using pre-approved terms where possible.
  3. Log in with RealMe and file online through the IPONZ case management system or Business Connect, paying the per-class fee.
  4. IPONZ examines the application and usually responds within about 15 working days with an acceptance notice or a compliance report.
  5. An accepted application is advertised in the monthly IPONZ Journal, opening a 3-month opposition period.
  6. If there is no opposition, the mark is registered, at the earliest 6 months after the filing date.

Examination, publication and opposition

  • Examination: IPONZ examines applications and usually issues an acceptance notice or compliance report within about 15 working days; marks containing Māori words or imagery are also reviewed by the Māori Trade Marks Advisory Committee and can take longer.
  • Publication: IPONZ Journal (published monthly)
  • Opposition period: 3 months from advertisement in the Journal; extendable by 1 month without the applicant's consent or 2 months with consent (maximum 3 months in total).
  • Typical timeline: Registration about 6 months after the filing date if there are no complications (IPONZ).

Protection, renewal and use

  • Term: 10 years, renewable.
  • Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 3 years of non-use.
  • Rights system: first to file.

Filing from abroad

  • Local agent: A local attorney is not mandatory, but the case contact (the applicant or an agent) must have an address for service in New Zealand or Australia.
  • Language: English

Firms on TrademarksHub that cover New Zealand can act as your local agent — see firms.

Madrid Protocol

New Zealand is a member of the Madrid System (in force since 2012). You can designate it in an international application filed through your home office, or file a national application directly. A local firm can advise which route is cheaper for your classes and timeline.

Trademark classes

Nice Classification (45 classes); IPONZ offers pre-approved terms via its Specification Builder at a lower fee. One application can cover several classes. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.

How New Zealand compares

Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid

Good to know in New Zealand

  • The address for service may be in New Zealand or Australia (since 5 April 2018).
  • Marks containing Māori text or imagery are referred to the Māori Trade Marks Advisory Committee, which can lengthen examination.
  • A registration is vulnerable to revocation after a continuous period of 3 years or more of non-use, shorter than the 5 years common elsewhere.
  • Fees are lower when pre-approved specification terms are used (NZ$70 vs NZ$100 per class), and GST applies only where the applicant is in New Zealand.
  • An accepted application cannot be registered until 6 months after filing, to allow for applications claiming earlier priority.

Questions

How much does it cost to register a trademark in New Zealand?
The IPONZ fee is NZ$100 per class, or NZ$70 per class using pre-approved terms, excluding GST. Renewal costs NZ$200 per class every 10 years.
How long does trademark registration take in New Zealand?
IPONZ usually examines within about 15 working days, and an uncomplicated application is registered about 6 months after the filing date.
Is New Zealand part of the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. The Madrid Protocol has been in force for New Zealand since 10 December 2012.
How long is the opposition period for trademarks in New Zealand?
Oppositions can be filed within 3 months of advertisement in the IPONZ Journal, extendable by up to 3 months.
Do I need a New Zealand address to register a trademark?
Yes. The applicant or its agent must give an address for service in New Zealand or Australia.
How long can a New Zealand trademark go unused?
A registered mark can be revoked if it has not been genuinely used in New Zealand for a continuous period of 3 years or more.