Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that differences between New Zealand and China are becoming harder to reconcile as Beijing's role in the world grows and changes.
In a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland, Ms Ardern said there are things on which China and New Zealand "do not, cannot, and will not agree", but added these differences need not define their relationship.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said last month she was uncomfortable expanding the role of Five Eyes.
Ms Ardern said New Zealand would continue to speak about these issues individually as well as through its partners.
Managing the relationship with China is not always going to be easy and "there can be no guarantees", Ms Ardern added.
Beijing denies the curbs are reprisals, saying reduced imports of Australian products are the result of buyers' own decisions.
Ms Ardern said how China treats its partners is important. »
