Balance of Payments and International Investment Position: Year ended 31 March 2009

• The value of New Zealand's assets held in the USA was $31.5 billion, an increase of 23.2 percent from 31 March 2008.

• Australia was the main source of direct investment in New Zealand, while the USA and the UK remained the main sources of portfolio investment.

• New Zealand's net international investment position was 96.4 percent of GDP, compared with 77.5 percent of GDP at 31 March 2004.

• Together, Australia, the UK, and the USA were the source of 67.8 percent of the value of foreign investment in New Zealand.

• 91.9 percent of New Zealand's foreign currency external debt was hedged.

• The finance and insurance industry held 62.5 percent of New Zealand's international assets, and 60.7 percent of international liabilities.

30 September 2009
ISSN 1178-0223