On 2 February 2017, Mr Ross van der Schyff becomes the Commissioner of Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Plant Variety Rights. 

Mr Van der Schyff is the General Manager of Business Integrity Services, Market Services Group at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). He previously held a number of senior roles including General Manager of Resolution Services Branch and Service Support and Design Branch within MBIE. He has also managed the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) and the Insolvency and Trustee Service. Before entering the public service in 2003, he was a partner of a law firm heading up its insolvency division. 

Ms Mandy McDonald has retired after a long career in the public service. She held a number of statutory roles, including Commissioner of Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Plant Variety Rights. She has been a key part of IPONZ’s development and growth over the last few years and her contributions have made a significant impact on the ease of doing business in New Zealand.

Mr Van der Schyff will also take up a number of other statutory roles, including the Registrar of Companies and Official Assignee.

IPONZ is updating its systems to reflect the change.