Trade NZD/USD, the Kiwi
NZD/USD prices how many US dollars one New Zealand dollar buys. New Zealand's economy leans on agricultural exports, dairy above all, so the Kiwi responds to global food prices, Chinese demand and risk appetite, and it is the first major to open each trading week.
- 24/5 trading
- Buy or sell
- Regulated by FSC Mauritius
NZD/USD
Spreads from, pips · Premium
1.0
About NZD/USD
New Zealand dollar vs US dollar
The currency takes its nickname from the kiwi bird on New Zealand's one-dollar coin. Dairy is the country's largest export, which is why traders watch the Global Dairy Trade auctions, held twice a month, alongside Reserve Bank of New Zealand decisions.
NZD/USD often moves in step with AUD/USD, since both economies depend on commodity exports and on China. It is a smaller market than the other majors, so spreads can be wider and liquidity thinner, especially outside Asian hours.
- MT5 symbol
- NZDUSD
- Known as
- Kiwi
- Pip size
- 0.0001
- Trading hours
- 24/5
- Central banks
- Reserve Bank of New Zealand and US Federal Reserve
- Pip value (1 lot)
- $10 per standard lot (100,000 units)
- Character
- Dairy and risk-linked, moves with AUD
What moves it
4 forces that drive NZD/USD
RBNZ policy
The RBNZ reviews rates seven times a year, and its forward guidance can move the Kiwi sharply.
Dairy prices
Global Dairy Trade auction results are a direct read on New Zealand's biggest export earner.
China and Australia
Chinese demand and moves in the Australian dollar often spill over into NZD/USD.
Risk appetite
Like the Aussie, the Kiwi tends to rise with firm equity markets and fall in risk-off periods.
When to trade
Best hours and key releases for NZD/USD
Most active: The Wellington–Sydney and Tokyo sessions (about 21:00–09:00 GMT) and major US data releases.
| Session | GMT | UAE time |
|---|---|---|
| SydneyActive | 21:00–06:00 | 01:00–10:00 |
| TokyoActive | 00:00–09:00 | 04:00–13:00 |
| London | 07:00–16:00 | 11:00–20:00 |
| New York | 12:00–21:00 | 16:00–01:00 |
Releases that move NZD/USD
- RBNZ rate decisionSeven times a year.
- New Zealand CPIQuarterly.
- New Zealand labour marketQuarterly employment and wages.
- Global Dairy Trade auctionTwice a month.
- China data and US payrollsMonthly.
Spreads can widen and prices can gap around these releases. Check an economic calendar for exact dates and times.
Pricing
NZD/USD spreads by account
Choose the account that fits your trading. The live NZD/USD spread is always shown in MT5 before you place an order.
Classic
Spread-only, no commission
Spreads from
1.6 pips
- Commission
- None
- Min. deposit
- $100
Premium
Lower spreads, no commission
Spreads from
1.0 pips
- Commission
- None
- Min. deposit
- $3,000
VIP
Raw spreads plus commission
Spreads from
0.0 pips
- Commission
- $6 per 1.00 lot round turn, proportional to lot size
- Min. deposit
- $25,000
* Indicative typical spreads, may vary; last updated 28 September 2026. Spreads are variable and may widen during news releases and low-liquidity sessions. Commissions may apply depending on account type.
Leverage magnifies both gains and losses. Maximum leverage depends on the instrument, account type and your jurisdiction.
Get started
How to trade NZD/USD on MT5
- 1
Open an account
Register online, verify your identity and choose Classic, Premium or VIP. - 2
Fund your account
Deposit with one of the available methods in the client portal. - 3
Find NZDUSD in MT5
Log in to MetaTrader 5, open Market Watch and add NZDUSD to see the live price and spread. - 4
Plan and place the trade
Set your position size and stop-loss, then choose Buy if you expect the pair to rise or Sell if you expect it to fall.
Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Forex prices, including NZD/USD, can move quickly against you, especially around news releases.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the spread on NZD/USD at IST Markets?
Spreads on IST Markets accounts start from 1.6 pips on Classic, 1.0 pips on Premium and 0.0 pips plus commission on VIP. The spread on NZD/USD is variable and depends on market conditions; the live spread is always shown in MT5 before you trade.
What is the pip value of NZD/USD?
One pip on NZD/USD is a price move of 0.0001. On one standard lot it is worth $10 per standard lot (100,000 units); a mini lot (0.10) is worth a tenth of that and a micro lot (0.01) a hundredth. Use the free pip calculator to work it out for your trade size.
What is the best time to trade NZD/USD?
The pair trades 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday. It is usually most active during The Wellington–Sydney and Tokyo sessions (about 21:00–09:00 GMT) and major US data releases. Liquidity tends to be thinnest around the daily rollover and late on Fridays, when spreads can widen.
Why do NZD/USD and AUD/USD move together?
Both economies are commodity exporters in the same region, both sell heavily to China, and both currencies are sensitive to global risk appetite. Their central banks can diverge, though, which is when the two pairs separate.
Are spreads on NZD/USD wider than on EUR/USD?
Usually, because the market is smaller. Spreads are variable and tend to be tightest during Asian and overlapping hours; check the live spread in MT5 before you trade.
Ready to trade NZD/USD on MT5?
Register in about 5 minutes; account verification may take longer.