AJ Park, New Zealand’s #1 intellectual property (IP) firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of four IP experts whose diverse expertise spans trade marks, patents, litigation and commercial. These promotions come into effect on 1 July 2025 and highlight the firm’s commitment to delivering business-driven advice as clients navigate innovation, commercialisation, and enforcement in a global IP environment.
Each of the promoted individuals has demonstrated an exceptional ability to enable their client’s innovation to thrive and grow in ways that can change the world. Our promotions include:
Kate Giddens, Trade Marks – promoted to Principal
After working as an examiner with IPONZ for 4 years, Kate joined Baldwins as a Solicitor in 2010. From there, she was promoted to Associate and then Senior Associate, before being made Special Counsel at AJ Park in 2023. Kate provides clients with clear, insightful, and strategic advice that addresses both their immediate focus and broader business objectives. In addition to her technical expertise, Kate has proven herself as a reliable team and people leader, particularly over the course of the past year.
Dr Jason Busby, Chembio Patents – promoted to Senior Associate
Jason joined the Chembio team as a trainee after completing his PhD and research fellowship at the University of Auckland. Jason’s expertise in the areas of genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry, and his pragmatic and clear approach has built his reputation as a trusted advisor with some of the firm’s key clients, and across other parts of the AJ Park team.
George Karkera, EIT Patents - promoted to Senior Associate
George joined AJ Park from the United Kingdom in 2022, as a UK/European Qualified Patent Attorney and has established himself as a go-to in the EIT team and beyond for complex European patent matters. George’s experience across a broad range of technology and clients – from start-ups to world-leading companies, has enabled him to adapt and tailor expert advice to local clients at various stages of commercialisation.
Rumbie Mutanga, Litigation and Commercial - promoted to Associate
Rumbie joined AJ Park in 2022, after being admitted to the bar in early 2020. Rumbie has developed her skills in both the litigation and commercial spaces, helping to grow our monitoring and enforcement programmes. Rumbie has made significant contributions to fashion thought leadership in the firm, and role models cross-team relationships and collaboration.
These promotions are an important recognition of the expertise, leadership, and impact each of these individuals brings to their role. Those promoted are not only respected for their deep knowledge in their areas of specialisation, but for the way they consistently embody our values — ambitious in their thinking, clear in their approach, connected to our clients and each other, progressive in how they lead and grow as professionals, and expert in the service they deliver.
Dr Andrea Dickens, AJ Park Managing Director
