European Commission Directorate-General for Trade

New Zealand

New Zealand depends on international trade. While the EU remains an important trading partner for New Zealand, New Zealand's trade focus is increasingly on the countries of the Asia-Pacific rim. The trade in commercial services between EU and New Zealand in 2009 represented more than 36% of the total trade. Sectors of particular interest for New Zealand are air and sea transport, the telecommunications market and tourism.

New Zealand is a significant agricultural exporter and a member of APEC

Trade in goods

• EU good exports to New Zealand 2010: €2.7 bn
• EU goods imports from New Zealand 2010: €2.8 bn

New Zealand exports to the EU consist mostly of agricultural products (about 65%) in 2010 these were chiefly sheep meat, wool, dairy products, fruits and wine. EU exports to New Zealand in 2010 were mainly cars, medicaments, machinery, telecommunication equipment, transport material, and chemicals.

Trade in services

• EU commercial services exports to New Zealand 2009: €1.7 bn
• EU commercial service imports from New Zealand 2009: €1.0 bn

Foreign Direct Investment

• EU investment stocks in New Zealand in 2009 was: €0.9 bn Inward / €7.5 bn Outward

More statistics on New Zealand

Agreements to facilitate trade

Since 1999 the EU and New Zealand have been parties to a bilateral agreement that aims to facilitate trade in industrial products between the EU and New Zealand by reducing technical barriers, including assessment procedures. It covers around one third of all EU merchandise products exported to New Zealand including medicine products and devices, telecommunication equipment, low voltage equipment, machinery and pressure equipment. In 2003 a similar agreement entered into force aimed at facilitating trade in live animals and animal products while safeguarding public and animal health.