New Zealand's trade deficit widened to NZD 1.35 billion in August 2026, edging up from NZD 1.31 billion in the same month a year earlier but coming in below market expectations of a NZD 1.78 billion shortfall. Exports increased 15.4% year-on-year to NZD 6.66 billion, accelerating from a downwardly revised 10.8% rise in July. At the same time, imports climbed 13.1% year-on-year to NZD 8.0 billion, easing from an upwardly revised 28.4% surge in July.