New Zealand to raise lawmakers’ travel ban with China, says PM Luxon

Friday 05 June 2026 - 10:45

New Zealand has said it will directly address a recent decision by China to impose travel restrictions on several of its lawmakers, marking a new point of diplomatic friction between Wellington and Beijing.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated that the government considers the ban “entirely inappropriate” and intends to raise the issue directly with Chinese authorities.

The restrictions reportedly target four New Zealand legislators who recently visited Taiwan on an official trip. According to parliamentary communications, the group has been barred from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau for a period of one year.

The lawmakers involved include members from both the governing coalition and the opposition, reflecting the bipartisan nature of the visit and adding sensitivity to the diplomatic response.

Analysts say the incident highlights ongoing tensions between China and countries that maintain informal relations with Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing considers part of its territory. New Zealand, while maintaining strong economic ties with China, has also emphasized the importance of independent foreign policy decision-making.

Wellington has indicated it seeks to manage the situation through diplomatic channels to avoid further escalation while defending its parliamentary autonomy.