New Zealand’s external position improved in the final quarter of 2025, as the country’s current account deficit narrowed to -NZD 5.98 billion from -NZD 8.37 billion in the third quarter of 2025. The latest figures, updated on 17 March 2026, highlight a notable quarter-over-quarter easing in external imbalances.
The quarter-over-quarter comparison shows that the current account shortfall has decreased in Q4 relative to Q3, whereas the previous reading reflected a larger deficit and a weaker position versus the quarter before it. This shift suggests a stabilisation in New Zealand’s external accounts toward the end of 2025, after a period of more pronounced deterioration earlier in the year.
Analysts and market participants will be watching subsequent releases closely to determine whether the Q4 improvement marks the start of a sustained trend toward a smaller deficit or a temporary adjustment driven by short-term factors in trade, income, or transfers. For now, the data indicate a meaningful easing in the country’s external financing needs heading into 2026.
