The plane at the centre of a morning mid-air drama over the Bay of Plenty has landed safely.

A Tauranga Council spokesman said the plane  made an emergency landing in  a paddock at Athenree.

A Fire Service spokesman said there was an issue with the engine - and if it couldn't make it to Tauranga it may have to land earlier.

Police said the alarm was raised at 10.45am and emergency services had just arrived at the airport .

A full emergency was declared at Tauranga Airport.