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Air New Zealand flight diverted after being struck by lightning

NZ HeraldOtago Daily Times1NewsStuffTuesday 7 October 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated

In this story Air New Zealand

Photo: NZ Herald (opens in new tab)

An Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Dunedin was struck by lightning shortly after takeoff on Tuesday morning. Passengers reported seeing a large orange flash on the wing, and the aircraft was diverted to Christchurch. A subsequent flight on the same route was cancelled while the aircraft underwent standard engineering checks.

How they headlined it

First reported by NZ Herald, Tue 7 Oct 2025, 12:43pm · 4 reports from 4 outlets over 3 hours
  1. NZ HeraldNZ Herald

    Passenger describes ‘deafening bang’ as Air New Zealand plane hit by lightning (opens in new tab)

  2. Otago Daily TimesOtago Daily Times

    'Large orange fireball': Dunedin flight hit by lightning (opens in new tab)

  3. 1News1News

    Flight cancelled after Air NZ plane is struck by lightning (opens in new tab)

  4. StuffStuff

    ‘People yelling and screaming’: Lightning strikes Air New Zealand plane (opens in new tab)