All fees are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). The fees below do not include GST. GST (15%) applies to all fees where the applicant or requestor is in New Zealand.
Plant Variety Rights (PVR) fees were most recently updated on 24 January 2023, in line with the commencement of the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 and the Plant Variety Rights Regulations 2022.
- Changes to Plant Variety Rights Fees from 24 January 2023 [PDF, 216 KB]
- New Plant Variety Rights Act and Regulations will commence on 24 January 2023
Application
New application fees apply to PVR applications filed in New Zealand on or after 24 January 2023.
| Item | Amount (excluding GST) |
|---|---|
| Application for grant (all varieties) | $625 |
PVR application fees are non-refundable, even if the application is later withdrawn.
Growing trials
Growing trial fees are charged for each year of trial in New Zealand.
New growing trial fees apply to PVR applications filed in New Zealand on or after 24 January 2023. Old fees apply to any applications filed before this date.
| Item | Old amount (excluding GST) | New amount (excluding GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and vegetable crops | ||
| Seed propagated varieties (e.g. cereals, peas, forage) | $2300 | $4200 |
| Vegetatively propagated varieties (e.g. potatoes, hops) - first year | $1600 | $2800 |
| Vegetatively propagated varieties (e.g. potatoes, hops) - each year after the first | $500 | $2800 |
| Fruits and nuts | ||
| Strawberry varieties | $500 | $290 |
| All other varieties (first year) | $500 | $530 |
| All other varieties (subsequent years) | $500 | $700 |
| Ornamentals | ||
| Roses | $450 | $130 |
| All other varieties (first year) | $450 | $310 |
| All other varieties (subsequent years) | $450 | $450 |
| Grasses, White clover | $3200 | $4510 |
| Grass endophytes, Fungi | $1500 | $2800 |
The PVR Office has the discretion to request a growing trial fee payment for each year or season the variety is under test, on an application-by-application basis.
Examination
The examination fee is payable on request by the PVR examiner after variety testing has concluded, and when final examination has begun.
The new examination fee applies to PVR applications filed in New Zealand on or after 24 January 2023. Old fees apply to any applications filed before this date.
| Item | Old amount (excluding GST) | New amount (excluding GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and vegetable crops | $600 | $770 |
| Fruits and nuts | $300 | $770 |
| All other plants, including ornamentals | $230 | $770 |
Renewal
If a PVR is granted, a grant fee becomes payable on each anniversary date of the grant, until its expiry. This fee must be paid in order to renew the grant and allow it to remain in force.
New grant fees apply to PVRs that are granted under the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022.
If a PVR was granted under the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987, its first renewal on or after 24 January 2023 will be charged according to the old grant fee. Subsequent renewals will then be charged according to the new grant fee.
| Item | Old amount (excluding GST) | New amount (excluding GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual grant fee (renewal) | $160 | $385 |
Other fees
New fees apply to compulsory licence applications made on or after 24 January 2023. Old fees apply to applications filed before this date.
The new fees for cancellation or nullification of an application, or a request for hearing, are applicable only to applications granted under the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022.
| Item | Old amount (excluding GST) | New amount (excluding GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory licence application | $600 | $1000 |
| Cancellation or nullification of application | - | $350 |
| Request for hearing | - | $850 |
Refund of fees
A refund will be considered where required or permitted by Section 150(2) of the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022. For more information, please see our Refund Policy.
- Section 150(2) of the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 — legislation.govt.nz
- Refund policy
Refunds will not be provided in the following circumstances:
- GST amounts are not eligible as separate refunds from their applicable fees. Where the applicant or requestor is in New Zealand, the Office will assume that GST is payable by the applicant or requestor.
- Examination and growing trial fees are non-refundable.
Waivers with respect to payment of growing trial fees will be considered on an application-by-application basis and according to the Plant Variety Rights Regulations 2022.
Refund requests must be in writing and include the following information:
- receipt date
- receipt number
- amount you are requesting to be refunded
- reason for refund
- name of person / organisation the refund is to be paid to.
If you have paid the fees using our direct debit system, the refund will show as an adjustment on your next direct debit statement.
If you paid the fees by any other method, your refund will normally be direct credited into your bank account.