# Trademark registration in New Zealand > 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. Source page: https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/new-zealand Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-11 ## Key facts - **Trademark office:** Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) - **Official fee:** NZD 100 — Application (per class, standard) - **Madrid Protocol:** Member since 2012 - **Opposition period:** 3 months from advertisement in the Journal - **Protection:** 10 years, renewable - **Multi-class applications:** Allowed - **Foreign applicants:** A local attorney is not mandatory, but the case contact must have an address for service in New Zealand or Australia ## Official links - Trademark office: https://www.iponz.govt.nz/ - Online filing: https://app.iponz.govt.nz/app/Extra/Default.aspx?op=EXTRA_tm_keyin&fcoOp=EXTRA__Default - Official trademark search: https://www.iponz.govt.nz/get-ip/trade-marks/search/ - Law: Trade Marks Act 2002 — https://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/consol_act/tma2002121/s66.html - Law: Trade Marks (Addresses in Australia) Amendment Regulations 2018 — https://www.legislation.govt.nz/secondary-legislation/pco-drafted/2018/35/en/latest/ ## Official fees (as of 2026-10) - Application (per class, standard): NZD 100 — excl. GST; GST applies only to NZ-based applicants - Application (per class, pre-approved terms): NZD 70 — excl. GST - Application based on a search and preliminary advice report issued within 3 months (per class): NZD 50 — excl. GST - Search and preliminary advice (per class): NZD 50 — optional; excl. GST - Renewal (per class, every 10 years): NZD 200 — excl. GST - Notice of opposition: NZD 350 — excl. GST ## Steps 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:** 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:** 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). - **Timeline:** Registration about 6 months after the filing date if there are no complications (IPONZ). - **Language:** English - **Use requirement:** a registration can be challenged after 3 years of non-use. ## Good to know - 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. ## FAQ ### 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. ## Sources - IPONZ – Trade mark fees: https://www.iponz.govt.nz/about-ip/trade-marks/fees/ - IPONZ – Apply for a trade mark: https://www.iponz.govt.nz/get-ip/trade-marks/apply/ - IPONZ – Trade marks overview: https://www.iponz.govt.nz/about-ip/trade-marks/ - IPONZ – Opposition practice guideline: https://www.iponz.govt.nz/get-ip/trade-marks/hearings/current-hearings/opposition/ - Trade Marks Act 2002, s 66 (NZLII): https://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/consol_act/tma2002121/s66.html - Trade Marks (Addresses in Australia) Amendment Regulations 2018: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/secondary-legislation/pco-drafted/2018/35/en/latest/ - WIPO Lex – Madrid Protocol contracting parties: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/parties/8 Need a firm that files in New Zealand? Find one at https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/new-zealand (TrademarksHub lists IP firms by country; featured placements are paid and labelled). General information, not legal advice.