On November 12, 2024, the updated New Zealand Strategic Goods List (NZSGL) came into effect, introducing national export controls on quantum computing technologies. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade approved the updated list, which incorporated 278 amendments overall, 47 of which represented new controls, deletions, or modifications to existing controls.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand implemented the additional national controls on quantum computing technologies alongside other like-minded countries to ensure that specific emerging technology is regulated in the same way as all other dual-use items on the NZSGL. The controls are implemented through the Customs Export Prohibition (Strategic Goods) Order 2021 under section 96 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018.
New Zealand’s action aligns with a broader international pattern of like-minded states introducing unilateral quantum technology export controls. The United Kingdom, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Japan introduced similar national controls on quantum computing technologies beginning in 2023 and 2024, in a coordinated but individually implemented approach outside traditional multilateral export control regime updates.