← Overview

Strategic Lens

New Zealand and South Africa

First country

Second country

In 2025, New Zealand sold USD 112 million of goods to South Africa and bought USD 119 million from it. Both are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 71 percent in 2023, and 75 percent on average over 2019 to 2023. In 2024, 1 thousand people born in New Zealand lived in South Africa, and 102 thousand people born in South Africa lived in New Zealand.

Benefits

  • BothTrade in goods runs both ways in similar amounts: New Zealand sold USD 112 million and South Africa sold USD 119 million in 2025.
  • BothBoth are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
  • BothThe number of people born in South Africa who live in New Zealand rose from 7 thousand in 1990 to 102 thousand in 2024.

Constraints

  • BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, South Africa sold USD 51.4 million of machinery, vehicles and iron and steel, against USD 9.8 million the other way.

Sources: UN Comtrade (public preview API), annual goods trade, HS classification (retrieved 26 September 2026); Wikidata, statements on membership (property P463) (retrieved 26 September 2026); United Nations General Assembly voting data (Voeten, Strezhnev and Bailey), agreement scores (retrieved 25 September 2026); UN DESA International Migrant Stock 2024 (retrieved 25 September 2026)

Last updated on 26 September 2026

At a glance

Goods trade, both ways
USD 231 million
2025, as reported by New Zealand
New Zealand to South Africa
USD 112 million
2025, as reported by New Zealand
South Africa to New Zealand
USD 119 million
2025, as reported by New Zealand

What connects New Zealand and South Africa

Economy

Trade in goodsIn 2025, New Zealand sold USD 112 million of goods to South Africa and bought USD 119 million from it.

Resources

Agriculture and foodIn 2025, New Zealand sold USD 61.5 million of agricultural and food products to South Africa and bought USD 20.4 million from it.

Industry

Supply chains and manufacturingIn 2025, New Zealand sold USD 9.8 million of machinery, vehicles and iron and steel to South Africa and bought USD 51.4 million from it.

Diplomacy

Multilateral alignmentBoth are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 71 percent in 2023, and 75 percent on average over 2019 to 2023.Diaspora and mobilityIn 2024, 1 thousand people born in New Zealand lived in South Africa, and 102 thousand people born in South Africa lived in New Zealand.

← Africa