New Zealand’s trade position improved sharply in December 2025, shifting from a deficit to a surplus on a month-over-month basis, according to data updated on 28 January 2026. The country’s trade balance moved from a negative -335M in November 2025 to a surplus of 52M in December 2025.
The December result marks a notable turnaround after November’s shortfall and indicates a positive month-over-month change in New Zealand’s external trade conditions. The “Actual” figure reflects the improvement between November and December 2025, while the previously reported number captured the deterioration from October to November. Investors and policymakers will now be watching forthcoming data to see whether December’s surplus signals the start of a more sustained strengthening in New Zealand’s trade performance.
