Trade (New Zealand)

Where can I find information about trade in New Zealand?

(Years 7-10)

Colour photo of a large container ship loaded with shipping containers sitting by a dock. — Image: LARS MAERSK. (15678274173) by Bernard Spragg. NZ on Wikimedia Commons. CC0 1.0. Image cropped.

Entry last updated: 25/09/26

Introduction

New Zealand is geographically far away from export markets. This makes trade an important part of our economy. In early colonial days, New Zealand exported goods like seal oil, timber and flax. Today, New Zealand exports a whole range of products and services to the world.

Over the years, the way that we trade has changed. There have been many international trade agreements signed between countries.

Historic trade

Have a look at these websites to find out about trading in New Zealand's history and how it has changed today.

Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Te Ara is an excellent starting point for all questions about Aotearoa New Zealand. Find the history of Māori trade before the arrival of Europeans, how colonisation changed trade and the role of government in controlling trade today.

Search for 'iwi trade' to read about the Māori economy and History of Māori enterprise.
Try searching for 'Māori trade' to find articles on the early flax and timber trades. There is also a page about Early trade with Pākeha.
A search for overseas trade will bring up the section called Overseas trade policy. This covers the history of New Zealand trade after 1840.

Tips: Search words, or keywords, are the most important words in our question. Usually it’s better to leave out small words like ‘the’, ‘a’ and ‘of’ and just choose the main ones, eg trade. We can always change our keywords or add more if we need to.

NZ History

NZ History is another great government-owned website for information about Aotearoa New Zealand.

From the homepage, choose Culture and Society.
Next, under the heading Pre-1840 contact, choose the link Sealers and whalers. This has information on one of the earliest industries in New Zealand.
Also look under the Transport heading for Container shipping. Find out how this changed shipping, the
ports and the economy of New Zealand.

You can also search NZ History using keywords or search words.

Try the keywords 'trade agreement' to find out about CER — Closer Economic Relations agreement. This was an important trade agreement between New Zealand and Australia.
Next, try using the word 'export'. Read about the first-ever shipment of frozen meat from New Zealand.

Tips: Te Ara and NZ History belong to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, so the information is well-researched and reliable. Both sites have .govt in the web address, meaning it's from a government organisation. They're also New Zealand sites, so relevant for us.

The Aotearoa History Show

The Aotearoa History Show is a video podcast made by Radio New Zealand (RNZ). It tells the story of Aotearoa New Zealand from when the land was formed to today.

Look through the episode details to see which topics are covered.
In particular, go to Season 2.
Check out the episodes for both Māori: The First 500 Years and NZ Railways.

Trade agreements

Trade is an important part of New Zealand's relationship with other countries. These websites will guide you to information for exporters, trade policy, free trade agreements and the World Trade Organisation.

Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Te Ara also has information about trading partners and agreements.

Open Topics and select Economy to find International economic relations.
Choose a page for a country or region, like Japan and New Zealand. Read about exports, imports, and trade agreements between the countries.
You can also search for 'trade agreements' to find information about New Zealand's trade with different regions. This includes Britain, Europe, Australia and Latin America.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)

MFAT is a New Zealand government department. It offers advice and policies on matters of trade and foreign affairs.

Select the Trade tab.
Then explore links like How we help exporters, NZ trade policy, Free trade agreements and Our work with the WTO.
Also explore Countries and regions to read about our trade policies with different countries.

Imports, exports and the economy

New Zealand imports and exports a wide range of goods and services. Australia, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea and China are some of our main trading partners.

Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Te Ara has a good overview of how trading fits into our economy.

Look under Stories A-Z and choose E.
Select Economy.
Check out the different pages to find export information on Agricultural production (farming), Other primary production (forestry, fisheries, and coal), or Secondary production (manufacturing).
For an overview of New Zealand's trade with the world, look at External trade.

Statistics New Zealand

This is a government website for finding statistical information about New Zealand. It provides reliable data and facts about New Zealand’s population, economy, society and environment.

Enter the search words 'Imports exports'.
Choose the link Imports and exports.
Read this page about New Zealand's overseas trade of goods and services and how they are measured.

Tips: Many web pages have links to further information or to other recommended sites. Following these links is a great way to find out more.

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

MBIE is a government agency. It provides advice, rules, laws and services to support and develop New Zealand's business in the world market.

Look under Business and employment, then Business to find the link on Trade and tariffs.
This page has guidelines on tariffs in New Zealand, trade barriers, trade agreements and partnerships, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines.

Trade and the environment

New Zealand must consider the environmental impacts of trade to protect its natural resources and maintain sustainability.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)

This website explains how New Zealand manages farming, food, and natural resources. This includes trading products like food with other countries and protecting the environment.

Go down the page to the heading For business.
Select Export. Read about the exporting requirements for food, timber and other products.
Select Import to read how importing to New Zealand works. Also find out about border checks to keep out pests anddiseases.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)

MFAT also has information about how New Zealand considers the environmental impact of trade.

Select the Trade tab.
Then go to Free trade agreements and Trade and climate.
Find out about the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) and Fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR).
Or search 'trade environment'. Find out about the Trade, Environment and Climate Change Framework and the Trade and Labour Frameworks.