'Concerned' Australia to protest at China's ban on NZ MPs

The delegation's visit to Taiwan last month drew a swift response from China. (Supplied)

Beijing has banned a group of New Zealand MPs from visiting China, Hong Kong and Macau for a year after they visited Taiwan in May.

Members of the cross-party delegation and New Zealand's foreign minister have expressed surprise at the unprecedented ban.

Canberra will join Wellington in lodging a formal protest against China's move.

Australia and New Zealand will both lodge protests with China after Beijing slapped an unprecedented travel ban on four MPs from New Zealand who visited Taiwan last month.

The National Party's Maureen Pugh, Labour's Duncan Webb, NZ First's David Wilson and ACT's Laura McClure all visited the democratically ruled island in May as part of a cross-parliamentary group which makes regular trips to Taiwan.

China's embassy in Wellington did not initially condemn the trip but late yesterday news broke that it had lodged complaints with New Zealand's parliament.

The clerk of New Zealand's parliament said Chinese diplomats told them the four MPs would now be denied entry to China, Hong Kong and Macau for a year.

They reportedly said the travel ban could be reduced or dropped if the MPs issued an apology.

Laura McClure, Maureen Pugh, Duncan Webb and David Wilson have been banned from visiting China following their visit to Taiwan. (Taiwan MOFA via AP)

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was "surprised" by the move, with one politician accusing Beijing of intimidation.

A spokesperson for Mr Peters said New Zealand MPs had visited Taiwan for "decades" with the visits consistent with the country's One China policy.

Under the policy New Zealand acknowledges Beijing's view as the sole government of China but maintains unofficial trade and cultural ties with Taipei.

Taiwan ranks as New Zealand's eighth biggest export market while China is its largest trading partner.

"In the context of that long history the minister was surprised to learn that China has taken a decision to, for the first time, impose travel bans on New Zealand MPs as a result of travel to Taiwan," the spokesperson said.

"He has instructed MFAT officials in Beijing and Wellington to discuss this matter with the Chinese system in order to express concern at this departure from past practice and to better understand it."

Penny Wong said the ban announced by China was "not appropriate". (Reuters: Maxim Shemetov, file)

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australian officials would also make representations to China on the apparent ban and said Australia