Online retailing is providing a major new avenue for New Zealand businesses to export their goods overseas.

Logistics company DHL opened a new processing facility at Auckland Airport six months ago, to cope with double-digit growth in imports and exports.

National manager Mark Foy said consumers are increasingly ordering in goods from overseas.

But he says New Zealand businesses are also selling far more goods direct to overseas consumers, particularly in Australia and China.

"New Zealand businesses have the opportunity to compete with other retailers around the world."

"[But that depends on us being able to] get those shipments into other markets the same as local suppliers can deliver them."

Foy said overnight international delivery is putting our online retailers on par with their overseas competitors, and New Zealand businesses can now get goods to Sydney households just as quickly as Australian businesses can.

"Today's pick-ups go out same night where flights are available, and same with the imports."

"Generally they come in early in the morning and we process them through the gateway and get them delivered around the country the same day."