Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Diverted plane's passengers booked on flights to capital

Updated at 1:55 pm on 14 March 2010

Ninety-nine passengers stranded in Auckland after their Sydney-to-Wellington flight was diverted because of possible defects are being booked on flights to Wellington on Sunday.

Emergency services went on standby on Saturday night as the Air New Zealand plane was diverted north.

The Fire Service says it received a message that the Airbus A320 had a hydraulic defect and a steering nose wheel problem.

It says seven trucks, including a specialist airport appliance, were ready by the runway as the plane landed.

It says the plane landed safely without problems about 11pm.

Air New Zealand says a warning light came on mid-flight and the decision was made to land in Auckland.

Air New Zealand says its engineering team is investigating.

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