2. Imports and Exports
Information in this section is derived from two different sources:
- IT hardware import and exports measured at the border by Customs as goods leave or enter the country for the 12 months to December 2002, provided by Statistics New Zealand (Statistics NZ 2003a).
- A survey of IT businesses conducted by Statistics New Zealand that measures both IT hardware and software exports as well as sales within New Zealand (Statistics NZ 2003b). The reference period for the survey was the 2001/2002 accounting year so for enterprises with balance dates falling between 1 January and 30 September, this is financial data for the year ending 2002 and for enterprises with balance dates falling between 1 October and 31 December, this is financial data for the year ending 2001.
Note that information from the two sources (Customs and the survey) cannot be directly compared because of differences in the treatment of export costs such as freight and insurance, and restrictions imposed by the sample used for the survey.
2.1 Hardware Imports
Figures 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 summarise IT related hardware imports since 1990, based on Customs figures (Statistics NZ 2003a).
Figure 2.1.1 shows IT related hardware imports by type. In 2002 there was an overall 7.8% decrease in imports, compared with a 13.8% decrease in 2001. There was a 1.1% increase for Computing Hardware and Parts, a 22.6% decrease for Broadcasting and Television and a 11.2% decrease for Telecommunications Hardware.
Figure 2.1.1: IT Related Hardware Imports by Type
(Statistics NZ 2003a)
→ Figure 2.1.1: IT Related Hardware Imports by Type - Table
The information in Figure 2.1.1 is reproduced in Figure 2.1.2 subdivided by source. It shows that the bulk of IT related hardware imports come from Asia and North America.
In 2002, imports from North America decreased by 26.1% (after decreasing by 31.3% the year before) and are now less than half of those from Asia, which increased by 5.2%. There was an increase of 39.7% in imports from Australia (after decreasing by 21% the year before) and a decrease of 41.7% from the "Rest of the World." Imports from Europe fell by 15.7% after a decrease of 5% the year before.
Figure 2.1.2: IT Related Hardware Imports by Source
(Statistics NZ 2003a)
→ Figure 2.1.2: IT Related Hardware Imports by Source - Table
2.2 Hardware Exports
The following three figures show IT related exports since 1990 based on Customs figures (Statistics NZ 2003a).
Figure 2.2.1 shows IT related hardware exports by type. The downward trend from 2001 continued in 2002 with a decline of 9.2% after a decline of 10.6% in 2001. Exports of Computing Hardware and Parts decreased by 30.7% and Broadcasting and Television by 15.7%. In contrast exports of Telecommunications Hardware increased by 72.7%.
Figure 2.2.1: IT Related Hardware Exports by Type
(Statistics NZ 2003a)
→ Figure 2.2.1: IT Related Hardware Exports by Type - Table
Figure 2.2.2 shows only the contribution of Computing Hardware and Parts. This category decreased by 30.7% in 2002. Until 1998 growth averaged approximately 30% per annum but since then exports have fluctuated.
Figure 2.2.2: Computing Hardware and Parts Exports
(Statistics NZ 2003a)
→ Figure 2.2.2: Computing Hardware and Parts Exports - Table
In Figure 2.2.3, the total IT related hardware exports are shown by export destination. In 2002, there was an 18% decrease in exports to Asia, after a 31% decrease the year before, whilst exports to Europe increased by 5.3%.
Figure 2.2.3: IT Related Hardware Exports by Destination
(Statistics NZ 2003a)
→ Figure 2.2.3: IT Related Hardware Exports by Destination - Table
Figure 2.2.4 is based on the survey of IT businesses conducted by Statistics New Zealand (Statistics NZ 2003b). Note that this data is not directly comparable to the IT related hardware export data captured by Customs, and given earlier in this paper (for example, Figures 2.2.1 and 2.2.2). The figures did, however, follow similar trends until 2001. In 2001 and again in 2002, the survey figures (Statistics NZ 2003b) have shown a gain whilst the Customs figures (Statistics NZ 2003a) have shown a fall. In 2002 the survey showed an increase of 11.5% whilst the Customs figures showed a 9.2% decrease.
Figure 2.2.4: IT Hardware Exports
(Statistics NZ 2003b)
→ Figure 2.2.4: IT Hardware Exports - Table
2.3 Software and Services Exports
The information in this section is based on the survey of IT businesses conducted by Statistics New Zealand (Statistics NZ 2003b).
Figure 2.3.1 shows exports of Software and Computer Services since 1994. Overall there were significant increases of 55% in 1998 and 70% in 1999. The growth in 2000 and 2001 slowed with 4.7% in 2000 and 1.7% in 2001. In 2002 there was another significant increase with growth of 36.5%.
Figure 2.3.1: Exports of Software and Computer Services
(Statistics NZ 2003b)
→ Figure 2.3.1: Exports of Software and Computer Services - Table
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