Value of vehicle imports soars

The value of imported vehicles, parts and accessories came in at $948 million in August, up $220m or 30 per cent from the same month a year ago, according to Stats NZ.

The increase contributed to the total value of all merchandise goods imports rising by 13 per cent year-on-year to $8 billion.

A breakdown of the figures shows vehicles, parts and accessories were among the top climbers from a number of sources. 

Such imports from China increased by $177m from a year ago, those from the EU rose $28m, South Korea’s tally grew by $16m and automotive goods from Australia were up $12m.

The latest data also reveals the automotive category increased its value for the three months ended August 2026, rising 26.5 per cent from the same period a year earlier to reach $3.09b.

The tally climbed by 20.6 per cent to $10.2b for the year to the end of August.

As for other commodities, petroleum products were up by $344m or 43 per cent from a year ago to $1.15b.

Overall exports last month climbed $888m, or 15 per cent, year-on-year to total $6.7b. This meant the monthly trade balance was a deficit of $1.3b.

For the year to the end of August, goods imports were valued at $85.3b after a $7.7b increase from the previous year. Exports rose $10b to $90.8b over the same period, leaving an annual trade deficit of $5.4b.