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 .

New Zealand’s imports increased 1.6% year-over-year to NZD 7.2 billion in September 2025, driven largely by a 35% surge in vehicle, parts, and accessories purchases. By trading partner, imports rose from China (up 16%), led by vehicles, parts, and accessories; mechanical machinery and equipment; and electrical machinery and equipment. Imports from the European Union increased 7.3%, driven by aircraft and parts; mechanical machinery and equipment; and pharmaceutical products, while shipments from Australia rose 6.4%, led by inorganic chemicals and cereals. Conversely, imports fell sharply from the United States (-30%), mainly in aircraft and parts and electrical machinery, and from South Korea (-4.8%), primarily due to petroleum and related products.