The NZD traded at 82.70 Australian cents at 5pm in Wellington from 82.65c yesterday, having climbed as high as 82.85c.

The March trade surplus almost twice the $373m forecast.

Shipments of milk powder, butter and cheese dropped by 16% to $1.1 billion. 

China picked up the slack, with September exports rising 23% to $468 million and imports edging up 1.1% to $718 million.

Small trade surplus after shipments of dairy products to China make up for weaker exports to Australia, Indonesia and India.

October's trade balance was a deficit of $282 million taking the annual trade balance to a surplus of $627 million.