Why are party logos registered?

A political party (whether registered or not) that has a registered logo with the Electoral Commission at writ day may have that logo reproduced on the ballot paper at a general election or by-election alongside the party name, a candidate's name, or both as appropriate.

Are there any other uses of registered logos?

The Electoral Commission will print a party's registered logo alongside the party lists enclosed in EasyVote packs and displayed at polling places. 

What makes a logo acceptable for registration?

The criteria for registration are that the logo is not indecent, offensive, misleading, or confusing, and does not refer to a title or honour or infringe intellectual property rights. 

Does registration confer intellectual property rights to the party's logo?

Not specifically, registration only secures the right for the logo to appear on ballot papers.  It does not provide intellectual property rights protection, so parties might consider trade-marking their logo.

How is a logo registered?

The party makes application to the Electoral Commission.  If the application is in order it will place a public notice in major newspapers and on this website advising of the application and proposed logo and inviting any public comment about its acceptability against criteria.  The commission will then consider the application, any public comment, any party response to any public comment, and make a decision based on the criteria.

Which logos are registered?

Current registered logos of registered parties are available here. 

Logos have been registered for the following parties which are not currently on the Register of Political Parties:

Logo	Party name	Date Party Registered	Date logo registered
	United New Zealand Party	10 August 1995 – 13 June 2003	1 July 1996
	The McGillicuddy Serious Party	13 July 1995 - 10 December 1999	5 September 1996
	Mana Maori Movement	11 September 1996 - 14 April 2005	11 September 1996
	Green Society	9 May 1996 - 12 February 2001	29 July 1997
	Natural Law Party	1 December 1995 - 12 February 2001	3 April 1998
	The Republican Party Incorporated	19 May 1995 - 24 June 2002	20 November 1998
	Mauri Pacific	12 February 1999 - 18 December 2001	11 December 1998
	The People's Choice Party	14 May 1999 - 15 November 2000	14 May 1999
	Future New Zealand	17 August 1995 - 13 June 2003	10 September 1999
	NMP	8 October 1999 - 14 March 2003	8 October 1999
	THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND	10 August 2001 - 11 July 2003	12 October 2001
	OUTDOOR RECREATION NZ	8 March 2002 - 5 September 2007	11 July 2003
	New Zealand Family Rights Protection Party	7 March 2005 - 5 September 2007	14 April 2005
	99 MP Party	14 April 2005 - 27 September 2006	13 May 2005
	Direct Democracy Party	20 June 2005 - 30 June 2009	13 July 2007
	New World Order	19 May 2008 - 2 June 2011	27 May 2010
	Workers Party	3 October 2008 - 20 May 2011	18 September 2008
	Kiwi Party	15 February 2008 - 8 February 2012	24 April 2008

Logos which have been registered and have since been cancelled:

Logo	Party name	Date Party Registered	Date logo registered
	The Family Party	17 December 2007 – 21 April 2010	2 April 2008 - 21 April 2010
	The Bill & Ben Party	29 July 2008 – 21 April 2010	25 August 2008 - 21 April 2010
	RAM – Residents Action Movement	29 July 2008 – 27 May 2010	18 September 2008 - 27 May 2010
	New Zealand Pacific Party	24 April 2008 – 25 August 2010	29 July 2008 - 25 August 2010
	One New Zealand Party	8 October 1999 - 27 September 2006	12 June 2002 - 22 July 2011
	Jim Anderton's Progressive Party	24 June 2002 - 9 March 2012	15 July 2005

Logos have been registered for the following parties which have never been on the Register of Political Parties:

Logo	Party name	Date Party Registered	Date logo registered
	NZ Progressive Party	Never Registered	11 September 1996
	Aroha-Ngia-Tatou	Never Registered	12 December 1996
	Piri Wiri Tua Movement	Never Registered	10 September 1999
	Heartland New Zealand	Never Registered	10 September 1999
	Association of Sovereignz	Never Registered	26 October 1999
	N.Z. Equal Rights Party	Never Registered	11 February 2000
	NZ Republicans Party	Never Registered	20 June 2005
	Rangitikei First	Never Registered	15 July 2005
	Aotearoa New Zealand Equal Values Party	Never Registered	15 July 2005
	New Zealand National Front	Never Registered	9 February 2006
	New Zealand Liberal Party	Never Registered	2 April 2008
	No Commercial Airport at Whenuapai	Never Registered	19 May 2008
	The New Zealand Tea Party	Never Registered	30 August 2011
	OURNZ	Never Registered	30 August 2011
	The Pirate Party of New Zealand	Never Registered	30 August 2011
	New Zealand Sovereignty Party	Never Registered	18 October 2011
	Ordinary Kiwis Party	Never Registered	18 October 2011

Can people inspect registered party logos?

Yes, at the Electoral Commission offices, Level 9, 17-21 Whitmore Street, Wellington, between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.

Can party logo registration be cancelled?

Yes, at the request of the party or because the Electoral Commission believes that the party's use of the logo constitutes an infringement of an intellectual property right or a breach of an enactment.

What steps does the Electoral Commission take to cancel a party registration?

The Electoral Commission will discuss the situation with the party secretary before taking any decision to cancel for reasons other than at the party's request.

When the Electoral Commission has decided to cancel registration then within 10 working days of the decision it will: record the cancellation on the register of political parties (in the case of a registered party), inform the party secretary and publish a notice in the New Zealand Gazette.

What about previously registered logos?

These can be accessed here.

External Links

Electoral Act 1993 Part 4

Ministry of Commerce: Trademark Protection in New Zealand