China's embassy in New Zealand has complained to Wellington about "harassment" of its citizens at airports, citing the case of a traveller compelled to hand over electronic devices.

The protest comes against a backdrop of reasonably stable ties in recent years, with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon having visited China this year.

The embassy cited "harassment and interrogation without cause" by New Zealand security and intelligence agency official in the case of a transiting citizen, adding that some of the confiscated digital devices were not returned.

"The embassy of China in New Zealand has lodged a serious representation with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and deplores the unwarranted conduct and harassment," it said in a statement on its website.

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