An Auckland-based music school, formerly known as MAINZ Limited and operating under the name Let’s Go, has changed its company name to Let’s Go Educate Limited following a notice that it was infringing on the legal rights of the national polytechnic.
A representative from Te Pūkenga confirmed that it holds ownership of the MAINZ brand and that the school’s use of the name constituted a breach of this ownership.
Although Te Pūkenga closed the Auckland MAINZ campus in 2023, the MAINZ name continues to be used at Ara, its polytechnic located in Christchurch.
Te Pūkenga said it issued a cease and desist order on 12 June, requiring Let’s Go music school to change both its name and website.
“Their use of the name and web address is a breach of the intellectual property owned by Te Pūkenga and may be misleading as we still deliver MAINZ courses.”
Let’s Go Educate is operated by a group of former MAINZ employees who claim they followed legal advice and were informed by NZQA that using the name was allowed.
According to director Christine Fenton, when the school was named, no legal company named MAINZ was identified.
The staff proceeded with the decision.
“We’re focusing on the future, not the past, so we have now changed our name knowing that the MAINZ community is behind us no matter what we call ourselves,” Fenton said.
Fenton emphasised that their priority is to restore music education for the benefit of learners and the New Zealand music industry.
“If Te Pūkenga want that too, they know how to contact us to talk about ways we can cooperate.”