Vehicle imports gain value

The value of imported vehicles, parts and accessories came in at $729 million in August, up $68m or 10.2 per cent from the same month a year ago, according to new figures from Stats NZ.

The jump was in contrast to the total value for all merchandise goods imports remaining flat and slipping just 0.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.12 billion.

A further breakdown of the figures shows vehicles, parts and accessories were among the climbers for goods from China and increased by $52m from a year ago, but such commodities from the European Union were down by $45m.

The latest data also shows the automotive category recorded an increase in value for the three months ended August 2025, rising 10.5 per cent from the same period a year earlier to hit $2.44b.

However, the tally tumbled by 12.3 per cent to $8.46b for the year to the end of August.

As for other commodities, petroleum products were among the big fallers last month after a $91m or 10.1 per cent decrease from a year ago to $807m.

Overall exports last month climbed $1.1b, or 23 per cent, to reach $5.94b. This meant the monthly trade balance was a deficit of $1.19b, compared with $2.32b in August 2024.

For the year to the end of August, goods imports were valued at $80.81b after a $2.8b increase from the previous year. Exports were up $8.7b to $77.82b to leave an annual trade deficit of $2.99b.

In the year ended August 2024, the total deficit was $9.41b.