New Zealand shares closed higher on Tuesday as markets prepare for important US earnings later this week, including Microsoft and Apple.

The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 0.4% or 50.14 points to close at 13,510.88.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US would raise tariffs on imports of South Korean cars and other goods, accusing the ally's legislature of delaying implementation of a trade agreement reached last year, according to a Monday Reuters report.

In domestic news, Credit card spending in New Zealand decreased by 2.5% month on month to NZ$5.3 billion in December 2025, after a 1.4% increase in the previous month, while credit card balances fell 0.6% to NZ$6.28 billion in December 2025, data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand showed.

Also, New Zealand's total vehicle registrations were 4.7 million in December 2025, an increase of 17,904 from the previous month, covering both six and 12-month licensing periods, data from StatsNZ showed.

In corporate news, SKY Network Television (NZE:SKT, ASX:SKT) and Paramount Global Content Distribution expanded their partnership to bring drama, procedural, kids, and comedy content from the US to Sky and Neon audiences in New Zealand.

Santana Minerals (NZE:SMI) said the remaining primary approval needed to start construction at the Bendigo-Ophir gold project is consent for the company's submitted Fast-track Approvals Act application.