Over 60 Air New Zealand Flights Disrupted by Heavy Rain and Low Visibility

(AUCKLAND) More than sixty Air New Zealand flights were delayed or canceled across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch on August 12, 2025, as heavy rain, low cloud, and poor visibility moved across the country.

The airline said safety comes first and asked customers to check the Air NZ app for live updates, with flexibility switched on so people can rebook or place fares into credit during the disruption window. Morning peak services were hit hardest, and flow-on delays are expected through the day as crews and aircraft fall out of position.

Wellington’s live boards showed multiple cancellations among morning arrivals and ongoing schedule changes, reflecting the city’s weather-exposed airfield. Short-haul domestic sectors into Wellington remain sensitive to crosswinds and low cloud, and today’s conditions forced extra scrutiny of approach minima.

Trunk routes between Auckland–Wellington and Auckland–Christchurch are experiencing rolling delays and select cancellations as turnarounds compress and later flights absorb stranded customers.

Airline guidance and self-service options

Air New Zealand has told customers to use self-service tools first. The Arrivals & Departures tracker and app provide real-time status and allow same-day changes where space exists.

• The airline has reminded travelers that call centers can become backed up during severe weather, so the app and website are the quickest paths to updates and changes.
• Rebooking is onto the next available service, including connections, and flexibility features let customers shift plans or take credit if they prefer not to travel during the adverse weather period.

Important: Use the Air NZ app and Arrivals & Departures tool for the fastest updates and self-service changes during disruptions.

Weather-driven disruption and airline policy

Air New Zealand’s Chief Operating Officer Alex Marren said wet and windy systems moving across Aotearoa are driving irregular operations. The airline is rebooking affected customers on the next available services and has enabled flexibility features for self-service changes and credits.

Marren noted that peak loads, such as school holidays, reduce the number of spare seats available for same-day recovery, which can lengthen delays for re-accommodation when many flights are disrupted at once.

Controllable vs. uncontrollable disruptions

The airline’s policy distinguishes between controllable and uncontrollable events:

• Controllable events include engineering or crew-related issues.
  • For these, Air New Zealand outlines reimbursement guidance, subject to itemized receipts and “reasonable” expenses.
  • Reimbursement guidance examples:
  • Up to NZD $250 per room for accommodation
  • NZD $90 per person per night for meals
  • Reimbursement requests must include itemized tax receipts submitted through the airline’s channels.
• Weather disruptions are considered uncontrollable and do not automatically qualify for reimbursements.
  • Customers are advised to confirm eligibility before incurring costs.

VisaVerge.com reports the airline has used these same self-service flexibility measures during several weather events in 2025, including a system in late June that caused nationwide delays. Separate weather systems earlier this year also forced cancellations and returns on key domestic corridors in the South Island and into Wellington and Queenstown, underscoring a recurring winter risk profile.

The airline has also faced global engine-related constraints on parts of its fleet in recent years, such as Pratt & Whitney GTF inspections on A320neo aircraft and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 issues on the 787. Fewer spare aircraft can make recovery tougher when a weather band wipes out multiple rotations in a single day.

Immediate steps for affected passengers

1. Check live status
   • Use the Air NZ app or the Arrivals & Departures tool for the latest gate and timing.
   • Sign up for text or email alerts to get changes sent straight to your phone.
2. Rebook or take credit
   • Flexibility is active. If you decide not to travel during the disruption window, you can move your booking or place it into credit through self-service options.
3. If your flight is canceled
   • The airline will rebook you on the next available service, including onward connections.
   • Expect longer hold times at contact centers during major events; self-service is faster.
4. Expenses and accommodation
   • The reimbursement policy applies to controllable disruptions only.
   • Keep itemized receipts and follow airline guidance. Weather-related disruptions are generally not eligible; confirm before spending.
5. Monitor Wellington closely
   • Conditions can change quickly at Wellington, prompting extra cancellations or revised ETAs as wind and cloud shift.

Practical impacts and outlook

Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch are carrying the bulk of today’s fallout. Regional links into Wellington—such as arrivals from Gisborne and Blenheim—are also affected, based on live boards this morning.

With seats already tight during busy periods, some passengers may find rebooking options are limited to later flights. That can stretch recovery into the evening as aircraft and crews catch up.

If the current weather band holds into tonight, further schedule compression is likely, including potential approach minima constraints at Wellington and flow-on effects at Auckland and Christchurch. Air New Zealand has said it will keep automatic rebooking in place and maintain app-based flexibility through such events. Recovery may take 24 to 48 hours while aircraft and crews realign.

Official tools provide the clearest picture of what to expect next. Travelers can track updates directly and adjust plans without standing in line at the airport. During persistent weather, that self-management often makes the difference between catching a backup flight and getting stuck overnight.

Key links and contact information

• Air New Zealand Arrivals & Departures: https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/arrivals-and-departures
• Air New Zealand Travel Alerts (including disruption updates and reimbursement guidance for controllable events): https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/travel-alerts
• Contact center (U.S./international): 1-800-262-1234 (expect delays during major disruptions)
• MetService severe weather warnings (official government resource for current alerts): https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home

Airports, including Wellington, continue to publish real-time updates reflecting cancellations and revised timings. Checking both the airline’s tools and local airport boards can help align ground transport, connections, and any same-day changes the airline offers.

Final takeaway

Today’s pattern shows how quickly winter weather can upend a tightly packed schedule. Low cloud and poor visibility reduce runway throughput and force crews to wait for better conditions, while heavy rain slows turnarounds and ground handling. Each delay multiplies across the day.

For now, the core message from Air New Zealand remains steady: safety comes before schedule, and customers should rely on digital tools to move their trips or take credit until the weather clears. With heavy rain still affecting the busiest corridors, and with spare seats limited during peaks, travelers may need to allow extra time and expect plans to change more than once before they fly.