WELLINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's total goods and services exports to China increased 18 percent for the year ending September 2018, with two-way trade reaching 28.8 billion New Zealand dollars (19.7 billion U.S. dollars), the latest statistics showed Thursday.

Exports to China continued to grow at a rapid pace, with goods exports surging 20 percent, Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker said on Thursday.

"Our exporter success reaches beyond China. New Zealand goods and services exports to the ASEAN six markets grew by 13 percent in the year ending September 2018," Parker said in a statement, noting that recent trade statistics demonstrate the success and resilience of New Zealand's export sector.

The ASEAN six markets are referred to Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

"Notwithstanding volatility in some offshore markets, 2018 saw strong gains for our exporters bolstered by our trade agreements, which help grow and maintain access for our products and services," Parker said.

New Zealand's goods and services exports went up 10 percent in dollar terms to the year ending September 2018, and goods exports grew 7 percent, he said.

Analysis by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade showed goods exports to existing trade agreement partners increased 9.3 percent.

The New Zealand government is working to move the economy "from volume to value," which will lift people's incomes and living standards, the minister said.