One of the most underrated parts of forex trading – especially here in New Zealand – is timing. It doesn’t matter how solid your strategy is or how clean your charts look… if you’re trading when the market’s asleep, you’re basically trying to surf in a kiddie pool.
As Kiwi traders, we’ve got a unique situation: we live in one of the earliest time zones in the world, which means we get the jump on most of the globe – but it also means the really big market moves often happen late at night.
So when exactly is the best time to trade forex in NZ? Let’s break it down.
The 4 Major Forex Sessions (NZ Time)
The forex market runs 24 hours a day, 5 days a week – but it’s not equally active the whole time. Most volume comes during four key sessions:
| Session | NZ Time (Standard) | Key Markets |
| Sydney | 10am – 7pm | AUD, NZD |
| Tokyo | 12pm – 9pm | JPY, some NZD |
| London | 8pm – 5am | EUR, GBP, CHF |
| New York | 1am – 10am | USD, CAD |
💡 Note: During NZ Daylight Saving (late Sep to early Apr), shift each session 1 hour earlier.
Best Times for NZ Traders: The Sweet Spots
1. London–New York Overlap (1am – 5am NZT)
This is the most liquid and volatile time of day. Major news often hits during this window, and spreads are at their tightest.
Best for: USD, EUR, GBP, Gold traders
Downside: You’re probably asleep. Unless you’re a night owl or shift worker, this one’s tough for Kiwis.
2. London Open (8pm – 10pm NZT)
This is the most realistic “golden window” for NZ-based part-time traders. London opens and volume pours in fast — often triggering breakouts or key reversals.
Best for: GBP, EUR, NZD crosses
Sweet spot: 8:00pm–9:30pm NZT is ideal for intraday setups.
3. Tokyo–London Crossover (8pm – 9pm NZT)
A short but useful transition period. If you’re trading AUDJPY, NZDJPY, or other Asia/Europe crosses, this time can offer solid setups with less whipsaw.
Best for: AUDJPY, EURJPY, NZDJPY
4. Asia Session (10am – 2pm NZT)
This is when the Sydney and Tokyo sessions overlap, so NZD and AUD pairs are most active. The moves aren’t huge, but they’re cleaner and often easier to manage for newer traders.
Best for: AUDUSD, NZDUSD, AUDNZD
Great for: Scalping and range plays
When NOT to Trade
Just because the market is open doesn’t mean it’s worth touching. These times are usually best avoided:
- Between 5am – 8am NZT:
Most markets are in limbo — New York is winding down and Asia hasn’t woken up. Liquidity is low, spreads can widen, and the market can feel like treacle. - Fridays after 10am NZT (Thursday US close):
Low volume, erratic moves, and weekend risk make this a poor time to enter fresh trades. - Public holidays in major economies (US, UK, Europe):
If the big boys aren’t trading, the market goes quiet. Always check the holiday calendar.
Timing Tips for NZ Traders
- Match your pairs to the session.
Don’t trade GBPUSD at 11am NZT — it’s dead. Use that time for AUDNZD, AUDJPY or NZDUSD instead. - Use pending orders overnight.
If you can’t stay up for the London or NY open, consider placing limit/stop orders with defined risk. Let the market come to you. - Trade around news — or don’t.
Economic news from the US, UK, and EU often drops between 1am–4am NZT. You can build a strategy around it — or avoid it entirely if you prefer less chaos.
Final Thoughts
The best time to trade forex in NZ really comes down to your goals and schedule. If you’re working full-time and can only trade in the evenings, the London open around 8pm NZT is your best bet. If you’ve got a flexible setup or you’re trading full-time, staying active through the night opens the door to the most high-volume opportunities.
Either way, just remember — timing the market doesn’t mean predicting price, it means showing up when it actually matters.
Don’t waste your energy trading when nothing’s happening. Focus on the windows that align with your strategy, and let the market do the heavy lifting.