An Air New Zealand flight at Auckland Airport was evacuated this morning after a threatening text was sent to a passenger.
The plane was due to fly to Christchurch at 7am.
Police and dog units are aboard the plane (file photo) Photo: 123RF
Police said a passenger recieved a text with a non-specific threat and the procedure was then to evacuate the aircraft and check it.
Passengers, including Labour MP Jacinda Ardern, were taken off the plane and police and dog units were then sent aboard.
Seems our plane has some kind of security situation. All passengers pulled off and police, security and dog all onboard now
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) November 22, 2016
Ms Ardern said passengers were later allowed to re-board the plane.
The plane has now taken off from Auckland Airport, more than an hour after it was originally scheduled to depart.