Release of information

Types of information requests and how they may be submitted

Our online request service allows you to request official information under the Official Information Act 1982.

If you are submitting a general enquiry or question, please do so by using one of the alternative communication channels on our Contact Us page. This will allow us to receive and take action on your enquiry as soon as possible.

Information that is already available

We provide access to documents under the legislation we administer, principally the Trade Marks Act 2002, the Geographical Indications Act 2006, the Patents Act 1953, the Patents Act 2013, the Designs Act 1953, the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987 and the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022.

A large amount of the information we hold is publicly available by searching our IP registers.

Patents register

Trade marks register

Designs register

Plant variety rights register

Geographical indications register

Our online case management facility also provides applicants and agents with the ability to review information relating to their application. Applicants and agents may need to log into their respective accounts to view private information about their cases.

IPONZ online case management facility (Manage IP)

Making a request for information under the Official Information Act 1982

Prior to making a request under the OIA, we recommend referring to the below fact sheets. These provide guidance on information that may or may not be released under the legislation that we administer.

Requests for official information should be submitted via our online request service in the first instance. However, we will also consider requests that are made via alternative channels such as email or telephone.

Request information under the Official Information Act 1982

We recommend that you make your request for official information as specific as possible. Please note that we may contact you if your request is too broad and requires refinement.

There is no obligation under the OIA to release information to persons who do not meet eligibility requirements. Please refer to Section 12(1) of the Official Information Act 1982 for further information on eligibility.

Section 12(1) of the Official Information Act 1982

Response times and fees

We will acknowledge your request as soon as practical and respond no later than 20 working days after we receive it. Sometimes for large requests or those requiring consultation, the OIA allows for a time limit extension. If so, we will keep you informed and give you a specific due date.

Most requested information is provided free of charge. However, requests that are particularly time consuming to complete may incur a fee. In the event that a fee is required we will contact the requestor prior to the information being collected.

Refusing OIAs and withholding information

We will carefully consider requests when preparing and releasing information. Under the OIA there must be a conclusive, good or administrative reason to refuse or withhold information. We will inform you if we are withholding information or refusing your request and you will be told the reasons why. For more information, please refer to Section 6, Section 7, Section 9 and Section 18 of the Official Information Act 1982.

Right of complaint to the Ombudsman

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of our decisions to requests made under the OIA. Information about how to make a complaint is available at the Ombudsman New Zealand website, or freephone 0800 802 602.

Ombudsman New Zealand