IPONZ platform upgrade

About the project

The purpose of the IPONZ Platform Upgrade is to modernise the ageing platform that manages intellectual property rights, patents, trademarks, designs and related services to gain efficiencies and deliver improvements for customers.

Current focus

Continue with the structured assessment phase to support the reset of project delivery activities that includes a managed pause agreed with the vendor.

Latest update

MBIE has exercised strong governance and oversight of the project, including commissioning an Independent Quality Assurance (IQA) review on the recommendation of its internal assurance group.

The review's findings and recommendations, alongside other relevant factors, informed a governance decision on 21 September 2026.

Following that decision, MBIE continues to lead a structured assessment to support the reset of project delivery activities.

MBIE and the vendor have agreed in principle to reset the delivery activity of the project through a managed pause which is anticipated to last between six and 12 months.

Commercial negotiations with the vendor are in progress and details of the independent review and the managed pause will not be available until these are completed.

The project’s strategic business objectives remain unchanged, and the managed pause provides an opportunity to adjust settings and ensure the project is well positioned for future successful delivery.

Red status

The project is at significant risk after critical delivery milestones were missed and governance intervention is required.

Path to Green

The project remains in an assessment phase aimed at containing costs, stabilising the project and move to the most appropriate path forward for IPONZ.

• Oversight and governance have been strengthened.
• An Independent Quality Assurance (IQA) review was completed and provides an objective assessment of the project.
• The project is to enter a managed pause for six to 12 months to adjust settings and ensure the project is well positioned for future successful delivery following the pause.

As a result of the 21 September 2026 governance decision the project RAG status is expected to move to Amber and then to Green once commercial agreements are in place.

Expected benefits

• A modern and more reliable platform for patents, trademarks and designs.
• Improved digital services for intellectual property customers and staff.
• Reduced operational risk associated with ageing technology.
• Greater flexibility to maintain and develop intellectual property services over time.

These benefits are extracted from the Benefits Realisation Plan.

Latest Change Request

Change Request type: Schedule, Scope, Financial

Schedule: Extension of business case timeline to 31 October 2024 to accommodate higher Delegated Financial Approvals required.

Scope: Changes to the project scope for additional necessary documentation to support the Business Case approval process.

Financial: Increase of Opex funding in FY24/25 to complete the business case.