Imports to New Zealand rose 17.7% year-on-year to NZD 8.44 billion in September 2026, following a downwardly revised 13.2% increase in the previous month. Higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (95.8%), electrical machinery and equipment (25.7%), and mechanical machinery and equipment (9.0%) drove the increase. Meanwhile, purchases fell for vehicles, parts, and accessories (-0.2%), fertilisers (-8.3%), essential oils, perfumes, and toiletries (-3.5%), and aircraft and parts (-21.6%). By source, imports from China grew 26.1%, while those from Australia and South Korea rose 10.6% and 23.6%, respectively, but imports from the US fell 8.3%. Purchases also declined from Germany (-3.1%), Thailand (-9.9%), the UK (-19.6%), and Italy (-12.7%). source: Statistics New Zealand

Imports in New Zealand increased to 8440 NZD Million in September from 8002 NZD Million in August of 2026. Imports in New Zealand averaged 2190.93 NZD Million from 1960 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 9293.09 NZD Million in July of 2026 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 October of 2026.

Imports in New Zealand increased to 8440 NZD Million in September from 8002 NZD Million in August of 2026. Imports in New Zealand is expected to be 7890.00 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
2026-09-17 10:45 PM
Imports
Aug NZ$8B NZ$9.33B NZ$9.7B
2026-10-18 09:45 PM
Imports
Sep NZ$8.44B NZ$8.02B NZ$ 7.6B
2026-11-18 09:45 PM
Imports
Oct NZ$8.44B NZ$7.9B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -1970.96 -1535.71 NZD Million Sep 2026
Capital Flows 4677.00 -5074.00 NZD Million Jun 2026
Current Account -1670.00 -1085.00 NZD Million Jun 2026
Current Account to GDP -3.70 -4.70 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Exports 6466.75 6482.06 NZD Million Sep 2026
Foreign Direct Investment 4435.00 5471.00 NZD Million Jun 2026
Imports 8437.71 8017.76 NZD Million Sep 2026
Terms of Trade 1421.00 1562.00 points Jun 2026
Tourism Revenues 3912.00 6456.00 NZD Million Jun 2026
Visitor Arrivals YoY 248714.00 256638.00 Aug 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
8437.71 8017.76 9293.09 37.85 1960 - 2026 NZD Million Monthly

News Stream
New Zealand Imports Grow 17.7% in September
Imports to New Zealand rose 17.7% year-on-year to NZD 8.44 billion in September 2026, following a downwardly revised 13.2% increase in the previous month. Higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (95.8%), electrical machinery and equipment (25.7%), and mechanical machinery and equipment (9.0%) drove the increase. Meanwhile, purchases fell for vehicles, parts, and accessories (-0.2%), fertilisers (-8.3%), essential oils, perfumes, and toiletries (-3.5%), and aircraft and parts (-21.6%). By source, imports from China grew 26.1%, while those from Australia and South Korea rose 10.6% and 23.6%, respectively, but imports from the US fell 8.3%. Purchases also declined from Germany (-3.1%), Thailand (-9.9%), the UK (-19.6%), and Italy (-12.7%).
2026-10-18
New Zealand Imports Climb 13.1% in August
Imports to New Zealand rose 13.1% year-on-year to NZD 8.0 billion in August 2026, following a 28.4% jump in the previous month. The increase in imports was mainly driven by higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (up 42.7%), vehicles, parts, and accessories (up 30.2%), electrical machinery and equipment (up 25.4%), and mechanical machinery and equipment (up 14.7%). Meanwhile, purchases fell for aircraft and parts (-76.2%), fertilisers (-48.5%), railway (-71%), and food residues, wastes, and fodder (-24.3%). By source, imports advanced from China (29.0%), Australia (6.5%), South Korea (88.1%), and the EU (16.5%), while imports from the US fell 8.9%. Purchases also declined from Singapore (-11.9%), Germany (-0.6%), the UK (-28.8%), and Thailand (-4.9%).
2026-09-17
New Zealand Imports Hit Record High
Imports to New Zealand surged 28.4% year-on-year to a record high of NZD 9.34 billion in July 2026, following a downwardly revised 27.5% jump in the previous month. The surge in import growth was mainly driven by higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (up 127.2%), vehicles, parts, and accessories (37.5%), fertiliser (103.0%), and food residues, wastes, and fodder (105.2%). Meanwhile, purchases declined for aircraft and parts (-29.4%), cocoa and cocoa preparations (-21.5%), and pharmaceutical products (-5.1%). By source, imports advanced from China (21.2%), Australia (12.9%), South Korea (18.3%), and the EU (19%). By contrast, purchases fell from the US (-1.7%), Canada (-47.4%), and Mexico (-23.8%).
2026-08-20


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