New Zealand announced the suspension of high-level military and political contacts with Myanmar Tuesday.

Unveiling the measures, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called for the international community to "strongly condemn what we're seeing happen in Myanmar".

"After years of working hard to build a democracy in Myanmar, I think every New Zealander would be devastated to see what we've seen in recent days led by the military," she told reporters.

"Our strong message is we will do what we can from here in New Zealand."

Ardern said the measures would include travel bans on senior military figures.

Ardern said New Zealand wanted the UN Human Rights Council to hold a special session to discuss developments in Myanmar.

She added that New Zealand's aid programmes in Myanmar, worth about NZ$42 million ($30.5 million), would continue with safeguards that they did not benefit, or come under the control of, the military junta.

"We're being very cautious with whatever aid and development work we do there that we are not propping up that regime," she said.

Ardern conceded New Zealand had limited leverage on Myanmar's military.

"While it may seem New Zealand's position on this may not seem particularly relevant, one of the last occasions when I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Aung San Suu Kyi, she specifically mentioned some of our representatives from New Zealand in Myanmar," Ardern said.

"They were well regarded and well respected and I think it played a really constructive role in that critical time for Myanmar and their transition."

© AFP