By RNZ

Air New Zealand says an item inside a passenger’s carry-on luggage is to blame for a flight grounded in New Plymouth this evening.

The Blenheim to Auckland flight was diverted to New Plymouth, with a passenger telling RNZ they could smell fuel coming through the air vents inside.

Emergency services are on standby at New Plymouth Airport after an Air New Zealand flight from Blenheim to Auckland was diverted earlier this evening. Photo / Flight radar 24

Air New Zealand head of flight operations Hugh Pearce says they are working to get passengers to their destination.

- RNZ