Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is playing down any suggestions New Zealand's diplomatic relationship with China is on the rocks but admits the two nations were facing some "challenges".
Philip Burdon, a former National government trade minister and recently chairman of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, said the implications for New Zealand "are dangerous at every level".
She said New Zealand still puts a lot of effort into its relationship with China, but is "at the same time facing some challenges".
Monday, it was revealed an Air New Zealand flight was turned back from its trip to China because of a technicality.
Opposition leader Simon Bridges was quick to speculate, questioning if the issue was part of an "ongoing deterioration in relations between this Government and China".