Worldwide sales for "wearables" - fitness bands and smartwatches - rose 7 per cent to 27.9 million for the June quarter, according to stats compiled by market tracker IDC.
New Zealand puffed behind the pack, however.
"Year-on-year, the NZ market has declined by 24 per cent from approximately 60,000 shipmentsto around 45,000," IDC market analyst Alex Yuen says.
Fitbit leads the pack here, with 23 per cent share by IDC's count, with Apple in second on 17 per cent.
Apple does not sell the most expensive models in its Watch series here, which has helped Fitbit's cause.
And while Apple has just released its Watch Series 4 in NZ, which has received strong reviews for its new heart-health tracking features, the "LTE" version - which offers internet and call connectivity without the need to pair with an iPhone - is not available here.
A rep for Apple says the company will release the LTE version here if Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees offer support.
On the global scene, Fitbit - which almost single-handedly created the market for wearables has continued its decline (see chart below). Three years ago, it held nearly half the global market.
