NZ stopping political, military contact with Myanmar

New Zealand is suspending political and military contact with Myanmar, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference in Wellington, Ardern said Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has instructed that any New Zealand aid should not go to Myanmar’s military government or benefit them.

The announcement came as demonstrators opposing Myanmar's military coup gathered in various cities in defiance of rules making protests illegal.

The protesters are demanding that power be restored to the deposed civilian government and are seeking freedom for ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other governing party members detained since the military took over on February 1.

The growing defiance is striking in a country where past demonstrations have been met with deadly force and are a reminder of previous movements in the Southeast Asian country's long and bloody struggle for democracy.

The military used deadly force to quash a massive 1988 uprising against military dictatorship and a 2007 revolt led by Buddhist monks.