An Air New Zealand flight from Tokyo to Auckland has been forced to divert to Ohakea Air Force base near Palmerston North - a whopping 500km away.

The diversion occurred just before 12pm on Tuesday, after a drone was spotted on the approach to Auckland Airport.



Passenger Mo Maisey spoke to Newshub while the aircraft was refuelling in Ohakea.

She said the flight circled near Auckland for 30 minutes before climbing and heading south, due to reports of a drone being flown near the airport.

An email sent to passengers on the flight from Air New Zealand confirmed the aircraft was forced to divert to Ohakea to refuel due to a drone being sighted near the airport.