Imports to New Zealand surged 25.9% year-on-year to over a four-year high of NZD 8.1 billion in May 2026, following a downwardly revised 3.0% increase in the previous month. The surge in import growth was mainly driven by higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (up 104%), mechanical machinery and equipment (13.0%), vehicles, parts, and accessories (36.6%), electrical machinery and equipment (18.5%), and optical, medical, and measuring equipment (10.8%). Meanwhile, purchases declined in food residues, wastes, and fodder (-6.8%) and essential oils, perfumes, and toiletries (-5.3%). By source, imports from China, Australia, the US, South Korea, and the EU rose by 18.9%, 20.0%, 17.9%, 78.7%, and 15.0%, respectively. Conversely, imports declined from Malaysia (-24.6%), Indonesia (-34.8%), and India (-20.9%). source: Statistics New Zealand

Imports in New Zealand increased to 8080 NZD Million in May from 6670 NZD Million in April of 2026. Imports in New Zealand averaged 2159.50 NZD Million from 1960 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 8513.48 NZD Million in November of 2022 and a record low of 37.85 NZD Million in April of 1962. This page provides the latest reported value for - New Zealand Imports - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. New Zealand Imports - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Imports in New Zealand increased to 8080 NZD Million in May from 6670 NZD Million in April of 2026. Imports in New Zealand is expected to be 6950.00 NZD Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Imports is projected to trend around 8100.00 NZD Million in 2027 and 8200.00 NZD Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-20 10:45 PM
Imports
Apr NZ$6.7B NZ$7.23B NZ$7.0B
2026-06-18 10:45 PM
Imports
May NZ$8.08B NZ$6.67B NZ$7.5B
2026-07-21 10:45 PM
Imports
Jun NZ$8.08B NZ$ 7B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 800.00 1598.00 NZD Million May 2026
Capital Flows -6107.00 2082.00 NZD Million Mar 2026
Current Account -1008.00 -5639.00 NZD Million Mar 2026
Current Account to GDP -3.70 -4.70 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Exports 8877.00 8268.00 NZD Million May 2026
Foreign Direct Investment 4029.00 2003.00 NZD Million Mar 2026
Imports 8077.00 6670.00 NZD Million May 2026
Terms of Trade 1561.00 1593.00 points Mar 2026
Tourism Revenues 7035.00 4617.00 NZD Million Mar 2026
Visitor Arrivals YoY 288546.00 358911.00 Apr 2026


New Zealand Imports
New Zealand imports mainly vehicles (13 percent), nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances (13 percent), fuels (10 percent), electrical machinery and equipment (8 percent), plastics (4 percent) and aircraft, spacecraft (4 percent). Its major import partners are: China (20 percent of total imports), Australia and the US (12 percent each), Japan (7 percent), Germany (5 percent), Thailand and South Korea (4 percent each).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
8077.00 6670.00 8513.48 37.85 1960 - 2026 NZD Million Monthly

News Stream
New Zealand Imports Jump 25.9% in May
Imports to New Zealand surged 25.9% year-on-year to over a four-year high of NZD 8.1 billion in May 2026, following a downwardly revised 3.0% increase in the previous month. The surge in import growth was mainly driven by higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (up 104%), mechanical machinery and equipment (13.0%), vehicles, parts, and accessories (36.6%), electrical machinery and equipment (18.5%), and optical, medical, and measuring equipment (10.8%). Meanwhile, purchases declined in food residues, wastes, and fodder (-6.8%) and essential oils, perfumes, and toiletries (-5.3%). By source, imports from China, Australia, the US, South Korea, and the EU rose by 18.9%, 20.0%, 17.9%, 78.7%, and 15.0%, respectively. Conversely, imports declined from Malaysia (-24.6%), Indonesia (-34.8%), and India (-20.9%).
2026-06-18
New Zealand Imports Rise 3.4% in April
Imports to New Zealand increased 3.4% year-on-year to NZD 6.7 billion in April 2026. Import growth was driven by higher purchases of mechanical machinery and equipment (10%), electrical machinery and equipment (22%), vehicles, parts, and accessories (16%), and precious metals, jewellery, and coins (76%). By source, imports rose from China (13%), South Korea (26%), and the EU (17%).
2026-05-20
New Zealand Imports Rise 9.6% in March
Imports to New Zealand increased 9.6% year-on-year to NZD 7.25 billion in March 2026. Import growth was driven by higher purchases of mechanical machinery and equipment (31%), followed by vehicles, parts, and accessories (28%); precious metals, jewellery, and coins (203%); and optical, medical, and measuring equipment (13%). By source, imports rose from China (19.8%), South Korea (53.9%), Australia (26.5%), Japan (24.9%), and the EU (16.9%), while declining from the U.S. (-12.7%) and Singapore (-45.0%). For the first quarter of the year, imports climbed 7.6% compared to the same period in 2025, reaching NZD 20.85 billion .
2026-04-19


International Trade
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