Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in New Zealand 2024
The best day trading platforms in New Zealand offer short-term trading on Asia-Pacific markets with regulation from a trusted body, such as the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Many top brokers also cater especially to day traders in New Zealand with convenient deposits to NZD accounts.
Explore the best platforms for day trading in New Zealand. Our experts have evaluated each broker’s suitability for day traders, including charting software, execution speeds and pricing.
Top 10 Platforms For Day Trading In New Zealand
Our findings show these are the top 10 brokers for day trading in New Zealand:
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1Moneta Markets50% Cashback Bonus, Free VPS
Ratings
$500.01 Lots1:1000ASIC, FSCA, FSACFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, CryptoAppTrader, ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingCentralVisa, Bitcoin Payments, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, Sticpay, JCB Card, Credit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, NZD, JPY, HKD, SGD, BRL -
2BlackBull Markets
Ratings
$00.01 Lots1:500FMA, FSAForex, CFDs, stocks, indices, energies, metals, commodities, cryptosMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartistNeteller, Skrill, Visa, UnionPay, FasaPay, Mastercard, Credit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, BoletoUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, SGD -
3AvaTrade20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
Ratings
$1000.01 Lots1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFMCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, FuturesWebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTradeSkrill, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Swift, MoneyGram, Credit Card, WebMoney, JCB Card, Debit Card, Neteller, BoletoUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD -
4IC Markets
Ratings
$2000.01 Lots1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMACFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, CryptoMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTradePayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, UnionPay, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Mastercard, POLi, BPAY, Credit Card, Klarna, Swift, SafeChargeUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD -
5Deriv
Ratings
$50.01 Lots1:1000MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSACFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFsDeriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingViewNeteller, Visa, Skrill, WebMoney, FasaPay, Perfect Money, Diners Club, Banxa, Paytrust, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, JCB Card, Sticpay, Trustly, Volet, Paysafecard, AstroPay, Maestro, Airtm, Boleto, JetonCash, Przelewy24, Bitcoin PaymentsUSD, EUR, GBP -
6XM$30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account
Ratings
$50.01 Lots1:1000ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSCCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, EnergiesMT4, MT5, TradingCentralCredit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Perfect Money, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, TransferWise, Visa, M-PesaUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY -
7RoboForex$30 No Deposit BonusRoboForex Ltd and its affiliates do not target EU/EEA/UK clients. Please be aware that you are able to receive investment services from a third-country firm at your own exclusive initiative only, taking all the risks involved.
Ratings
$100.01 Lots1:2000IFSCCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, FuturesR StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingViewVisa, iDeal, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, Giropay, Sofort, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Alipay, POLi, Perfect Money, MoneyGram, Cashu, SafeCharge, WeChat Pay, Vietcombank Transfer, Volet, ecoPayz, AstroPayUSD, EUR -
8eToro51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading with this provider. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Ratings
$100$10FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMFCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTseToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentralVisa, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Swift, Debit Card, iDeal, Klarna, Sofort, Trustly, Przelewy24USD, EUR, GBP -
9InstaForexChoose between: Club Bonus, 30 %, 55 % and 100 % bonusesAll investments involve a degree of risk of some kind. Trading financial derivative products comes with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should not engage in trading these instruments unless you fully understand the nature of the transactions you are entering into, and the true extent of your exposure. These types of investments may be suitable for some investors, but they are not for everyone.
Ratings
$10.10 of the lot (0.0001 of market lot for Cent.Standard and Cent.Eurica)1:1000BVI FSCCurrencies, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil and Gas, Commodity Futures and InstaFuturesMT4, MT5Skrill, Mastercard, Visa, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Przelewy24, Giropay, Rapid TransferUSD, EUR, GBP, PLN, CZK -
10IGSpread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Ratings
$00.01 Lots1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFMCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread BettingWeb, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentralPayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category:
- Moneta Markets - Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, Moneta Markets offers over 1000 instruments for short-term trading. New traders can choose between STP and ECN accounts while the smooth sign-up process has helped attract 70,000 registered traders.
- BlackBull Markets - BlackBull is a New Zealand-based CFD broker with trading opportunities on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptos. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms as well as TradingView, cTrader and a proprietary mobile app. Clients can trade with high leverage and tight spreads from 0 pips on the broker's ECN accounts.
- AvaTrade - AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, from CFDs to AvaOptions and now AvaFutures, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.
- IC Markets - IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
- Deriv - Established in 1999, Deriv is an innovative broker now serving over 2.5 million global clients. The firm offers CFDs, multipliers and more recently accumulators, alongside its proprietary derived products which can't be found elsewhere, providing flexible short-term trading opportunities.
- XM - XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been delivering low trading fees across its growing roster of 1000+ instruments. It’s also highly regulated, including by ASIC and CySEC and offers a comprehensive MetaTrader experience.
- RoboForex - RoboForex is an online broker, established in 2009 and registered with the IFSC in Belize. Traders can choose from five accounts (Prime, ECN, R StocksTrader, ProCent, Pro) catering to different needs with trades from 0.01 lots and spreads from 0 pips. RoboForex has also enhanced its offering over the years, adding CFD instruments and launching its stock trading platform, plus the CopyFX system.
- eToro - eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers trading services in thousands of CFDs, stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. The brand is particularly popular for its comprehensive social trading platform. Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK and some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 51% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
- InstaForex - InstaForex is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2007. The broker offers diverse market coverage to millions of clients, spanning traditional assets like currencies and shares, as well as other interesting opportunities such as IPOs.
- IG - Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in New Zealand 2024 Comparison
Moneta Markets
"With ECN pricing featuring spreads from 0 and commissions from $1, high leverage of up to 1:1000, and the terrific ProTrader charting platform, Moneta Markets is an excellent broker for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Moneta Markets Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | 50% Cashback Bonus, Free VPS |
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Demo Account | Yes |
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto |
Regulator | ASIC, FSCA, FSA |
Platforms | AppTrader, ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
Minimum Deposit | $50 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:1000 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, NZD, JPY, HKD, SGD, BRL |
Pros
- The broker offers competitive leverage rates of up to 1:1000, allowing experienced day traders to amplify their positions and potentially increase their returns.
- Registering for an account with Moneta Markets is quick and easy through the digital sign-up process, taking just a few minutes with an accessible $50 minimum deposit.
- The intuitive ProTrader web platform, powered by TradingView, performed brilliantly during testing, enabling trading directly from charts, plus the easy modification of orders using drag-and-drop functionality.
Cons
- Whilst TradingView-backed ProTrader is intuitive, there are limitations compared to the full TradingView platform, notably time frames lack seconds or ranges, and community scripts can’t be added.
- Clients need an account balance of at least $500 to access educational materials, a serious drawback for beginners who can get free materials from brokers like IG and eToro.
- While trading costs are generally competitive, index CFDs feature fairly high spreads especially on US products like the S&P 500, trailing IC Markets during testing.
BlackBull Markets
"BlackBull Markets will suit traders of all experience levels with a growing suite of thousands of tradable instruments, tight spreads and the familiar MetaTrader platforms."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer
BlackBull Markets Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
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Instruments | Forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, energies, metals, commodities, cryptos |
Regulator | FMA, FSA |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist |
Minimum Deposit | $0 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:500 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, SGD |
Pros
- $0 minimum deposit and 0.01 lot trades
- Huge range of 26,000+ instruments, with recent additions to its Asia Pacific indices
- Commission-free trading with spreads from 0.0 pips
Cons
- Withdrawal fees with some methods
- US traders not accepted
AvaTrade
"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
AvaTrade Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | 20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000 |
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Demo Account | Yes |
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures |
Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM |
Platforms | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
Minimum Deposit | $100 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- Recently introduced AvaFutures offers an alternative vehicle to speculate on over 35 markets with low day trading margins
- AvaTrade is a heavily regulated and trustworthy broker with licenses from the ASIC, CySEC and more
- The broker’s unique risk management tool, AvaProtect, protects against losses up to $1 million and is easy to activate in the platform
Cons
- There is no ECN account with raw spreads
- Traders from the US are not accepted
- There’s an above-average $50 inactivity fee after three months, though this won't impact active day traders
IC Markets
"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IC Markets Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
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Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto |
Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
Minimum Deposit | $200 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.
- IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
- As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
Cons
- Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
- There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
- While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
Deriv
"Deriv is ideal for active traders seeking alternative and unique ways to speculate on global financial markets, from multipliers and accumulator options to its bespoke synthetic indices, which mimic real market movements and are available 24/7, allowing for continuous trading opportunities regardless of market hours."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Deriv Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
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Instruments | CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs |
Regulator | MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA |
Platforms | Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
Minimum Deposit | $5 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:1000 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- Account funding is a breeze with a very low minimum deposit of $5 and a huge selection of payment options, plus Tether was added to the cashier in 2023.
- Although response times trail alternatives in our personal experience, Deriv offers 24/7 support and is one of the few brokers to offer WhatsApp assistance.
- Deriv stands out with its innovative products, from multipliers and derived indices to its addition of accumulator options, providing exclusive short-term trading opportunities.
Cons
- Although there’s a basic blog, there's little in terms of technical analysis or market reports which could help active traders identify potential opportunities.
- Apart from the MFSA in the EU, Deriv lacks top-tier regulatory credentials, reducing the level of safeguards like access to investor compensation.
- While the Academy launched in 2021 is a step in the right direction, there is limited education on advanced trading topics for seasoned traders and no live webinars to upskill new traders.
XM
"With a low $5 minimum deposit, advanced charting platforms in MT4 and MT5, expanding range of markets, and a Zero account offering spreads from 0.0, XM provides all the essentials for active traders, even earning our ‘Best MT4/MT5 Broker’ award in recent years."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XM Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | $30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account |
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Demo Account | Yes |
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies |
Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
Minimum Deposit | $5 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:1000 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY |
Pros
- XM’s Zero account is ideal for day trading with spreads from 0.0 pips, 99.35% of orders executed in <1 second, and no requotes or rejections.
- XM’s growing roster of 1,000+ instruments provides diverse short-term trading opportunities, with unique turbo stocks, fractional shares, and more recently thematic indices.
- XM stands out for its commitment to trader education, with a wealth of well-presented resources, including webinars, tutorials, and even real-time trading sessions through XM Live.
Cons
- While the XM app stands out for its usability and exclusive copy trading products, the selection of technical analysis tools needs to be improved to meet the needs of advanced traders.
- XM is falling behind the curve by not offering cTrader and TradingView which are increasingly being favored over MetaTrader for their smoother user experience and superior charting packages.
- Although trusted and generally well-regulated, the XM global entity is registered with the weak IFSC regulator and UK clients are no longer accepted, reducing its market reach.
RoboForex
"RoboForex is great if you want a vast range of 12,000+ day trading markets with ECN accounts, powerful charting and loyalty promotions. It also stands out for stock traders with its user-friendly R StocksTrader platform, featuring 3,000+ shares, fees from $0.01 and sophisticated watchlists."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
RoboForex Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | $30 No Deposit Bonus |
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Demo Account | Yes |
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures |
Regulator | IFSC |
Platforms | R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
Minimum Deposit | $10 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:2000 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- The R Stocks Trader platform rivals leading solutions like MT4, with netting and hedging capabilities, comprehensive backtesting, Level II pricing, and a flexible workspace.
- RoboForex offers over 12,000 instruments, providing more short-term trading opportunities than the vast majority of online brokers, with forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, and futures.
- The broker offers two commission-free withdrawals each month in the Free Funds Withdrawal program, helping day traders to minimize transaction costs.
Cons
- RoboForex now restricts base currency options to USD and EUR. This limitation may inconvenience day traders preferring to manage their accounts in other currencies, while potentially leading to conversion fees.
- While RoboForex offers competitive spreads, some of its account types come with high trading commissions up to $20 per lot, trailing the cheapest brokers, such as IC Markets.
- RoboForex provides a variety of account types, which, while offering flexibility, can be overwhelming for newer traders trying to choose the most suitable option for their trading style. Alternatives, notably eToro, provide a smoother entry into online trading with one retail account.
eToro
"eToro's social trading platform leads the pack with a terrific user experience and active community chat that can help beginners find opportunities. There are also competitive fees on thousands of CFDs and real stocks, plus excellent rewards for experienced strategy providers."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
eToro Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
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Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs |
Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF |
Platforms | eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral |
Minimum Deposit | $100 |
Minimum Trade | $10 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- The web platform and mobile app perform better in user reviews and app rankings than top competitors, including AvaTrade
- Exciting investment portfolios are available covering traditional market trends as well as tech, crypto and more
- eToro has finally introduced EUR and GBP accounts, cutting conversion fees and providing a trading experience more tailored to local needs
Cons
- There are no guaranteed stop loss orders which would be a useful risk management feature for beginners
- Traders will face currency conversion fees for account denominations other than USD
- There are limited contact methods aside from the in-platform live chat
InstaForex
"InstaForex maintains its position as a top forex broker, with more currency products than most rivals. The tight spreads and low minimum deposits make it accessible to all experience levels, especially those familiar with the MT4 and MT5 platforms."
William Berg, Reviewer
InstaForex Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | Choose between: Club Bonus, 30 %, 55 % and 100 % bonuses |
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Demo Account | Yes |
Instruments | Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil and Gas, Commodity Futures and InstaFutures |
Regulator | BVI FSC |
Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
Minimum Trade | 0.10 of the lot (0.0001 of market lot for Cent.Standard and Cent.Eurica) |
Leverage | 1:1000 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, PLN, CZK |
Pros
- InstaForex delivers a superb day trading environment, with the powerful MT4 and MT5 platforms offering dozens of technical analysis tools, automation capabilities and multiple order types
- The broker is accessible for beginners, with low minimum deposits and zero-commission trading available.
- The broker is a particularly good pick for serious forex traders, with over 100 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and a market-leading selection of curated forex market resources
Cons
- Customer support is available only in EN, CZ, PL, and SK.
- The broker’s website and client cabinet feel outdated and difficult to navigate for newcomers
- The broker provides trading instruments only in the form of CFDs.
IG
"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform, best-in-class education for beginners, advanced charting tools bolstered by its recent TradingView integration, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IG Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
---|---|
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting |
Regulator | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM |
Platforms | Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
Minimum Deposit | $0 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro) |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for day trading, while IG has also added TradingView integration.
- The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our 'Best Trading App' award.
- IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus recently added US-listed futures and options, providing ample diversification opportunities.
Cons
- Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests.
- While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients.
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
Choosing A Day Trading Broker In New Zealand
Drawing on our extensive experience assessing day trading brokers, there are several factors to keep in mind when selecting a platform:
Choose A Trustworthy Day Trading Broker
Many of the best brokers in New Zealand are authorized by the local regulator, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), which enforces guidelines to protect retail investors from unfair trading practices, risky financial products and trading scams.
In fact, the FMA has published useful tips on how to spot a trading scam:
- They claim that returns are guaranteed (day trading is risky and you can lose your investment)
- They provide little or no information in writing (trusted brokers have transparent websites & apps)
- They claim that everything is urgent or secret (legit firms will not pressure you to start trading)
- They ask for unusual payments (reputable brokers offer secure deposit methods, e.g. PayPal NZ)
Importantly, some day trading brokers hold licenses in other strictly regulated regions, such as Australia, however you may give up certain protections, notably participation in New Zealand’s dispute resolution program and investor protection fund.
- Blackbull is the most trusted day trading broker in New Zealand. It’s FMA-licensed, based in Auckland, uses segregated accounts at the country’s tier-1 banks, and has 10+ years experience.
Choose A Day Trading Broker With Excellent Market Coverage
The top brokers offer short-term trading opportunities on a wide range of asset classes, sectors and geographies, catering to a broad spectrum of traders.
For day traders in New Zealand, regional markets such as equities listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX), the S&P/NZX indices, and currency pairs like the NZD/USD, EUR/NZD and AUD/NZD, may be particularly important.
As part of our evaluations, we also prioritize brokers with products specifically designed for short-term trading, such as contracts for difference (CFD), allowing you to go long or short on New Zealand stocks, for example, without taking ownership of shares.
- eToro offers a superb selection of markets, including popular stocks like Spark New Zealand Ltd (SPK) and Auckland International Airport (AIA), as well as 50+ currency pairs, featuring NZD crosses. Its huge selection of digital currencies also helped it scoop our ‘Best Crypto’ award.
Choose A Broker With Low Day Trading Fees
Leading day trading brokers offer excellent pricing to help short-term traders, who typically execute a large volume of orders, keep transaction costs down.
We always analyze fees as part of our exhaustive review process. To paint a picture of costs for all types of day traders, we evaluate spreads and/or commissions on a wide range of asset classes, from forex, stocks and indices to commodities and cryptocurrencies.
Then we overlay our personal observations to balance quality with price. That’s because testing 265 day trading brokers has taught us that it can be worth paying more for more reliable order execution or analyst insights into interest rate decisions from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, for example, which may impact stock and currency prices.
- IG is one of the most affordable day trading brokers in New Zealand, with a $0 deposit, spreads averaging 2.05 pips on NZD/USD and low commissions on Asia-Pacific shares.
Choose A Broker With Reliable Charting Platforms
Day traders require stable, user-friendly and powerful platforms which can facilitate short-term trading strategies.
We personally test desktop platforms, web traders and increasingly mobile apps, to evaluate their usability and the completeness of their charting packages, including technical indicators, drawing tools and timeframes.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) continues to dominate the day trading industry, and is offered by the majority of online brokers. That said, after countless hours using it over the years, we’re growing tired of its outdated design.
Fortunately, we’re seeing the in-house software offered by the likes of CMC Markets and AvaTrade increasingly rival established third-party solutions, featuring more intuitive workspaces with comprehensive tools for day traders at all levels.
- Moneta Markets supports several leading charting platforms, including MT4, TradingView, a proprietary mobile app, and a copy trading solution, all available with a free demo.
Choose A Broker With High-Quality Order Execution
The best day trading platforms in New Zealand execute orders quickly and with no rejects or requotes.
Optimum speeds, ideally less than 100 milliseconds, help ensure that there is limited downtime between the requested fill price and the actual fill price.
This is particularly important when day trading fast-moving markets like the NZD/JPY, which is especially volatile given the New Zealand Dollar’s status as a commodity currency whose value can fluctuate significantly depending on the price of the country’s agricultural exports.
- IC Markets is an ultra-fast day trading broker, with execution speeds from 35ms across its desktop and mobile platforms, catering to various short-term traders, notably scalpers and algo traders.
Choose A Broker With Clear Leverage and Margin Requirements
Leverage is a critical feature for many day traders because it allows you to boost your trading results beyond what you could afford with your existing cash.
Let’s say I decide to put NZ$100 in a long position on the NZD/USD currency pair, using 1:20 leverage. This would effectively increase my buying power to 20x my initial investment (NZ$2,000), meaning any gains or losses would also be multiplied by a factor of 20.
- AvaTrade excels in its transparent margin requirements across all its assets, for example, 5% (1:20 leverage) on the NZD/USD. It’s also one of the few brokers to offer bespoke a risk management tool, AvaProtect, which provides up to $1,000,000 in protection.
Methodology
The best day trading brokers in New Zealand have been selected from our extensive database of brokers; organized into those that accept traders from New Zealand and ranked by their overall rating which factors in key areas, such as:
- We checked that the broker accepts day traders from New Zealand and is regulated by a trusted body like the FMA.
- We prioritized brokers with low trading fees on popular markets like the EUR/USD and Oil.
- We focused on brokers with a wide investment offering, for example, stocks on New Zealand’s Exchange.
- We checked for powerful and user-friendly charting platforms for traders at all levels.
- We favored brokers with fast order execution to help short-term traders secure optimal prices.
- We ensured brokers offer clear leverage and margin requirements.
FAQ
Which Are The Best Brokers Accepting Day Traders From New Zealand?
Use our list of the best brokers accepting day traders from New Zealand to find the right platform for your needs.
Many of our recommended brokers have tailored their offerings for traders in New Zealand with NZD accounts, a license from the FMA, and offices in Auckland.
Who Regulates Day Trading Platforms In New Zealand?
The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) regulates day trading platforms in New Zealand.
The FMA is a ‘Green-Tier’ regulator, meaning it provides robust investor safeguards, notably access to a dispute resolution scheme, limits on leverage for retail investors up to 1:30, and a requirement for brokers not to misrepresent the risks of online trading.
How Much Capital Do I Need To Start Day Trading In New Zealand?
Our analysis reveals that most day trading brokers in New Zealand allow you to open an account with NZ$250 or less.
That said, some budget-friendly platforms don’t require any minimum – the best are Blackbull Markets and CMC Markets.
Recommended Reading
Article Sources
- New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA)
- New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX)
- Spark New Zealand Ltd (SPK) - NZX
- Auckland International Airport (AIA) - NZX
- How To Spot A Scam - FMA
- Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com