Hearings Officer

• Opportunity to join the Hearings Team within the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ)
• Be part of a flexible forward-thinking team making a real difference
• Permanent full-time position | Wellington(preferred) but also Christchurch or Auckland based will be considered
• Salary Range $118 390 to $143 639

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) works with users of the intellectual property regulatory system in the examination and granting or registration of intellectual property rights: patents; designs; trade marks; geographical indications; and plant variety rights. We are also responsible for intellectual property education and awareness programmes. IPONZ is a key part of the IP regulatory system which, when running effectively, supports intellectual property owners, innovators and creators by incentivising innovation and investment and facilitating trade in new products and services, as well as encouraging creative expression to bring tangible societal and economic benefits to New Zealand.

The Hearings Officer role is part of the hearings team's decision makers. You will be conducting hearings in accordance with relevant legislation, associated regulations, considering the information available from submissions and evidence submitted, undertaking research as required to aid an appropriate outcome, and issue timely formal written decisions. As Hearings Officer you will report to the Team Leader Hearing in the hearings team within IPONZ.

Your activities will include:

• Conducting hearings (written and/or in person) with clients ranging from private applicants to KCs.
• Conducting relevant research from a variety of sources to resolve issues and assess evidence and information to make an informed decision.
• Prepare and issues written decisions in a timely manner.
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of trade mark case law, legislation and practices.
• Proactively build and maintain professional working relationships with IPONZ / MBIE colleagues and key IP stakeholders, to help achieve business goals.
• Effectively shares knowledge and experience, encouraging growth mindset and an effective and encouraging learning environment.
• Support IPONZ Hearing practice and procedures, including helping with process improvements.

• Experience in intellectual property advocacy or decision-making is desirable.
• Familiarity with hearings practices and processes, including evidentiary requirements and case management experience (desirable).
• Ability to interpret case law, apply precedent from High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court decisions and use it to inform decisions.
• Strong communication skills and capable of expressing thoughts, information, and ideas in a clear, concise, and appropriate manner.
• Being able to establish and maintain the confidence of parties and/or their representatives to ensure confidence in hearings decisions made by IPONZ.
• Ability to work under high pressure with strong advocates who are acting on behalf of clients with competing interests in respect of high value property rights.
• Strong time management and workload prioritisation skills.
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi - Better Together
• Maia - Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Maori identity - Hikina Whakatutuki - which broadly means `lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Maori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Maori, other Maori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Maori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Maori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mohio ana a Hikina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kotuinga I waenganui i a ngai Maori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a, kei te whai ia ki te whakau ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ma te whai kiko o nga kotuinga ahungaroa o ngai wi, o ngai Maori, me etahi atu ropu Maori ki te Karauna, katutuki tenei. He ahuatanga nui tenei e ahei ai nga mahi whanaketanga a-ohanga, a-papori hoki ki a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui. E whai tonu ana matou ki te kotui atu ki nga iwi mo te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i nga kaupapakua roa nei e tami ana i a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui, a, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i nga aheinga kokiritanga ma nga iwi, me te tautoko i nga iwi kia whai mana ake ai enei aheinga.

Click here to view a position description.

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Matt Guy at quoting ref MBIE/17972 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 24th of August 2025