The New Zealand Defence Force, in conjunction with Australian authorities, are continuing to monitor a People's Liberation Army - Navy (PLA-N) Task Group on Sunday.

Follow the latest news headlines from Australia's most trusted source. Read in-depth expert analysis and watch live coverage on ABC News.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon earlier said New Zealand "have been continuously monitoring, tracking and shadowing the movements of this fleet".

Australia warned airlines flying between Australian airports and New Zealand to beware of Chinese warships potentially conducting a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea

The verbal crossfire follows Australia’s complaint that it did not receive sufficient notice of a military drill conducted by Chinese warships on Friday.

Crew members on board a New Zealand navy frigate shadowing Chinese military ships have reportedly seen behaviour “consistent with a live-fire activity”. It comes as airlines – including Air New Zealand – have been forced to modify their flight paths after warnings by the Chinese military to avoid airspace between Australia and New Zealand before live-fire military drills in the Tasman Sea.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia warned international airlines flying between Australian airports and New Zealand to beware of Chinese warships conducting a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Friday.

Military exercises by the Chinese navy in international waters southeast of Australia on Friday forced commercial flights transiting the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand to divert.

China's naval exercise in the Tasman Sea has put Australia and New Zealand on alert, with Canberra calling it "unusual".