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🇳🇿 Nickel Price Today in New Zealand | NZ$24,600
Live nickel price in New Zealand Dollar (NZD) — updated every minute
Last updated: May 5, 2026, 12:57 AM ET
Price (NZD)
NZ$24,600
Price (USD)
$15,000
USD/Nickel Spot
$15,000.00
USD/NZD Rate
1 USD = 1.64 NZD
About Nickel
Nickel is essential for stainless steel production and increasingly for electric vehicle battery cathodes (NMC and NCA chemistries). The LME nickel market experienced a historic short squeeze in March 2022, with prices briefly exceeding $100,000/metric ton before trading was suspended. Indonesia now dominates global nickel production, accounting for over 50% of world supply.
Nickel price in New Zealand: what drives it?
Nickel sits at the intersection of traditional industrial metals and the EV revolution. Approximately 70% of nickel demand goes to stainless steel, while battery applications are the fastest-growing segment. Indonesia's dominance in processing has created geopolitical supply concentration concerns among Western EV manufacturers. The nickel price in New Zealand is determined by the global USD spot price multiplied by the USD/NZD exchange rate.
Frequently Asked Questions — Nickel in New Zealand
What is the nickel price today in New Zealand?
The nickel price in New Zealand is derived from the LME spot price in USD per metric ton, converted to New Zealand Dollar. Nickel futures are also traded on the CME COMEX and the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE).
What happened to the nickel market in March 2022?
In March 2022, the LME nickel price surged from ~$24,000/ton to over $100,000/ton in 48 hours — the largest price spike in LME history. The squeeze was triggered by a large short position held by Chinese nickel producer Tsingshan facing margin calls. The LME suspended trading and controversially cancelled trades, sparking major lawsuits.
How does EV adoption affect nickel prices?
Electric vehicles using NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery chemistry require significant nickel content. However, the shift toward LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries by Tesla, BYD, and others reduces nickel intensity per vehicle. The net effect depends on whether high-range EVs (more nickel) or budget EVs (LFP) dominate the market.
Why has Indonesia become the dominant nickel producer?
Indonesia imposed bans on nickel ore exports in 2020 to force value-added processing domestically. Chinese investment poured into Indonesian nickel processing, transforming the country into the world's largest nickel producer. Indonesia now accounts for over 50% of global nickel mine supply.
What products use nickel in New Zealand?
In New Zealand and globally, nickel's primary uses include stainless steel (kitchenware, industrial equipment), nickel alloys for aerospace and energy applications, electroplating for corrosion resistance, and lithium-ion battery cathodes for EVs and energy storage. Nickel is also used in coins worldwide.