General Overview

New Zealand has the eighth highest internet penetration in the world (2021).  Source:  Statista.  Since the start of 2022, online spending in New Zealand has made up around 16% of total spending.  Source: Datamine Retailwatch.  Industries with the largest proportion of online retail in the six months to April 2023 were travel and accommodation (60%), recreation (48%), furniture and homeware (23%), clothing and footwear (18%) and books and stationery (16%).  Online purchases are made by young and old, male and female.   New Zealand is the 48th market for eCommerce sales.  The New Zealand ecommerce market is expected to increase to US$10,121.8 million by 2027. Source: eCommerceDB   

International E-commerce platforms including Amazon, Ebay, and Alibaba are well-known.  New Zealand Posts YouShop service offers delivery addresses in the United States to facilitate online trade between vendors and New Zealand consumers.  Within New Zealand, most bricks and mortar retailers offer an online presence.

Legal & Regulatory

Non-resident U.S. companies selling online to New Zealand consumers must when applicable comply with local regulations including consumer and tax procedures.  A U.S. company providing online services to New Zealand residents will need to register for GST when their total supplies of goods and services exceeds NZ$60,000 in one year.  This policy is managed by New Zealand’s  Inland Revenue Department

Consumer Behavior

Approximately 64% of online shoppers in New Zealand research online when planning a major purchase particularly when preparing to purchase consumer electronics and household appliances (Source ecommerceDB).  Paying by credit card is the preferred payment method. 

Digital Events

Name:  DigiMarCon New Zealand

Dates:  August 21-22, 2023

Location:  Hilton Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand