Role Funding:
New Zealand’s international trade performance rebounded strongly in the September 2025 quarter – with both goods and services exports rising sharply, according to the latest official data.
Exports Climb: Goods + Services Hit $25.0 Billion
Total exports of goods and services reached NZ$25.0 billion in the September 2025 quarter – up from NZ$22.3 billion in the same quarter a year earlier.
On the goods side, merchandise exports grew by NZ$928 million, a 19% increase year-on-year, reaching NZ$5.8 billion for the month of September.
This upswing reflects stronger demand – and possibly favourable global commodity conditions – for key export items such as agricultural goods, dairy, and meat products, which remain staples in New Zealand’s export mix.
What It Means for the Economy
The increase in export values has multiple positive implications:
Support for export-dependent sectors: Farmers, exporters, and supply-chain industries benefit directly from increased demand and revenue.
Improved trade balance dynamics: With exports rising, pressure on New Zealand’s trade deficit may ease – or even reverse – depending on how imports evolve.
Potential macroeconomic lift: Higher export earnings can strengthen business confidence, boost investment, and support income for rural regions – a key pillar of New Zealand’s economy.
Caveats & What to Watch
Import performance not yet published: The publicly released data for merchandise exports shows growth, but corresponding aggregate import-value data for the quarter hasn’t been highlighted yet. Balance-of-trade effects will depend on import behaviour.
Global economic headwinds remain: International demand is influenced by global commodity prices, geopolitical factors, trade-policy shifts, and exchange-rate fluctuations. These could impact future quarters.
Sustainability and sector-diversification matters: A strong export quarter is welcome – but long-term resilience depends on broadening beyond commodities, adding value, and strengthening non-goods exports (e.g. services, value-added goods, tech, tourism).
The September 2025 quarter marks a meaningful rebound in New Zealand’s export sector, underlining the country’s continued strength – and reliance – on international trade. The boost in export values offers a welcome cushion at a time when many economies face global uncertainty; but sustaining this performance will depend on how imports, commodity prices, and global demand evolve.
New data and reporting through 2025 show that business activity among Māori-owned and Māori-led companies is accelerating – and diversifying – even as the wider economy faces headwinds.
Strong Growth Across the Māori Economy:
According to the latest Te Ōhanga Māori 2023, Māori entities increased their contribution to New Zealand’s GDP sharply: from NZ$17 billion in 2018 to roughly NZ$32 billion in 2023 – pushing their share of national GDP from about 6.5 % to 8.9 %.
The underlying Māori asset base also more than doubled over that period – from NZ$69 billion to NZ$126 billion, reflecting growth in property, business investments, enterprise, and collective assets.
As of mid-2025, quarterly statistics show Māori businesses collectively recorded over NZ$1 billion in sales in some quarters – and exports by Māori authorities increased 4.9 % year-on-year, with gains in dairy, seafood, and other commodities.
Diversifying Beyond Traditional Sectors:
Where once Māori economic activity was heavily concentrated in primary industries (agriculture, forestry, fishing), the landscape is changing:
In 2023 the leading contributors to Māori-sector GDP shifted – with professional services, technical services and real estate/property services rising to the front.
Smaller “whānau-led” enterprises – family-owned or community-driven businesses – are increasingly seen as a key pathway for economic empowerment and resilience. A recent study highlighted these enterprises as crucial for improving livelihoods in Māori communities.
The service sector alone now includes around 7,000 Māori-owned businesses and employs roughly 130,000 Māori – together contributing more than NZ$14 billion to GDP.
Why 2025 Looks Like a Milestone Year:
Business-sentiment among Māori business leaders has improved sharply: a 2025 survey found 64% of Māori business leaders feel positive about their recent business performance – a big jump from 48% in 2024.
Despite general economic uncertainty, Māori-owned exporters have held up well – boosting export values and benefiting from favourable conditions in dairy, seafood, and commodity markets.
Government policy and institutional support continue: agencies and initiatives are actively promoting Māori enterprise, resources, and development through programmes that support Māori-owned and Māori-led business growth.