Landslide Claims 21 Lives in PNG's Enga Province

Papua New Guinea’s newly announced NRL team, the PNG Chiefs, has drawn legal scrutiny from New Zealand Rugby, which claims ownership of the “Chiefs” brand through its Waikato-based Super Rugby franchise. The development has ignited a trans-Tasman debate over intellectual property and brand protection in the sporting world, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The issue surfaced after PNG Prime Minister James Marape revealed the team’s name, intended to reflect tribal leadership and national pride. Days later, the NZRU moved to secure its trademark rights by filing an application covering the Chiefs name and engaging legal counsel to examine possible infringement. It has since written to the Australian Rugby League Commission for an explanation regarding the use of the title.

“New Zealand Rugby’s priority is to protect the Chiefs trademark in Australasia,” the organisation said in a statement. “We have communicated with the ARLC about the decision to name a new team the Chiefs and are working toward a fair resolution.” The NZRU maintains that it has held exclusive rights since the team’s founding in 1996.

NRL executives, however, appear unfazed. They believe the PNG Chiefs name is sufficiently distinct and falls within safe legal grounds, as the trademark applies specifically to the PNG club. The ARLC is expected to continue branding preparations as planned ahead of the 2028 season.

Marape defended the cultural reasoning behind the choice, saying the word “Chiefs” honours the nation’s matrilineal traditions and tribal unity. “The name just blends in well with the authenticity of where we came from as a nation of so many tribes,” he said. “It has a strong meaning to our authentic identity.”

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Landslide Claims 21 Lives in PNG's Enga Province