New Zealanders are investing in Wall Street at near-record levels, with new data from the US Treasury revealing Kiwi holdings in US securities reached US$67.1 billion (NZ$128 billion) in March 2025. This marks a more than 100% increase in offshore investment over the last five years.
The announcement comes as global trading app moomoo launches in New Zealand, promising to give everyday investors greater access to international markets at low cost, a move timed with rising interest in US equities, particularly tech-heavy indices.
“New Zealand has always had a strong saving culture, but in recent years we’ve seen a major shift toward offshore diversification,” says Michael McCarthy, Australia and New Zealand CEO of moomoo. “US markets, especially in the tech sector, have delivered consistent returns in the post-pandemic era, and Kiwi investors want to be part of that.”
moomoo’s New Zealand launch offers low-cost access to thousands of global shares
Billions Flow to US Stocks and Bonds
According to the US Treasury report, the majority of Kiwi offshore investment, US$51.3 billion, is in US-listed stocks and ETFs. That’s a 152% increase compared to the same month in 2020.
New Zealand investors are also holding US$11.2 billion in US government bonds (up 75% from 2020) and US$3.6 billion in corporate bonds (up 33%).
McCarthy says this growing offshore allocation is being driven by a combination of factors:
Historically low domestic interest rates
A strong NZD in the earlier post-COVID period
A desire to hedge against inflation and currency depreciation
Global confidence in the long-term performance of US equities
“We’ve also seen institutional investors, including KiwiSaver providers and the NZ Super Fund, increase their exposure to global markets,” says McCarthy. “That momentum is filtering through to retail investors who want access to the same opportunities.”
moomoo Launches in NZ with Low-Cost Global Access
To meet this rising demand, moomoo has officially launched in New Zealand, giving local investors access to over 22,000 global stocks and ETFs from the US, Australia and Hong Kong.
The platform stands out for its pricing and product range:
More than 15,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs
Only US$0.99 (NZ$1.66) per US trade, the lowest flat fee in the NZ market
Unlimited US trading with no account minimums
Free educational resources and real-time data
24/5 access to US markets, including after-hours trading
Options trading and dividend reinvestment plans
“moomoo is designed for both beginners and experienced investors,” says McCarthy. “From first-timers wanting to buy a single ETF, to advanced users using AI-powered analytics and technical charts, we’re removing the barriers to international investing.”
moomoo now available in NZ with 22,000+ global stocks and ETFs
A Social Investing Experience
moomoo also integrates a feature called ‘social investing’, which enables users around the world to share insights, investment strategies and stock ideas. The idea is to build a collaborative investment community that supports better decision-making, particularly for younger investors learning to navigate the market.
“This is where fintech meets community,” McCarthy explains. “Investing is no longer a solitary experience. We’ve built a platform where knowledge-sharing is embedded into the experience.”
The app includes structured learning modules, market analysis tools, curated financial news feeds, and AI-generated market insights, helping users explore new investment opportunities aligned with their goals and risk tolerance.
From Silicon Valley to Rotorua: A Global Fintech Expansion
Founded in Silicon Valley in 2018, moomoo now has more than 25 million users across:
United States
Singapore
Australia
Japan
Canada
Hong Kong
Malaysia
The New Zealand launch follows strong uptake in Australia, where moomoo became the most downloaded online broker app within two years of market entry.
“The NZ market is small but sophisticated,” says McCarthy. “We’ve seen incredible interest from New Zealanders looking for smarter, more cost-effective ways to build wealth internationally.”
As part of its launch offer, moomoo is giving $0 commission trading on US and Australian stocks for the first 30 days, along with free reward stocks for eligible new users.
NZ Herald: Coverage on the record investment figures and fintech expansion
RNZ: Radio segment discussing market trends and the growth of Kiwi offshore wealth
Newstalk ZB: Live interview highlighting moomoo’s arrival and user benefits
Technology outlets: Features across several fintech, investment, and startup publications
This coverage helped establish moomoo’s brand presence in New Zealand and positioned it as a credible global platform entering the local investment ecosystem at the perfect time.
