An Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Wellington this evening was forced to turn back because of a storm.

Flight NZ445 left Auckland at 5.25pm but returned to Auckland after it “encountered lightning”, spokeswoman Marie Hosking confirmed.

The plane did not appear to have been struck, she said.

“It returned to Auckland. On arrival an inspection revealed no damage.”

Stranded passengers would be accommodated on other flights.

Flight NZ546 from Christchurch to Auckland would land at Wellington to pick up disrupted passengers, said Ms Hosking.