Air NZ flight forced to return to gate moments before take-off

An Air New Zealand flight had to return to the gate just moments before taking off this morning because of an unwell passenger.

The 6.45am flight from Christchurch to Wellington was taxiing along the runway when the passenger became sick, an Air NZ spokesman said.

"Then the aircraft turned around and returned to the gate and offloaded the passenger."

The flight was delayed about half an hour, the spokesman said.

A St John ambulance crew looked after the passenger after the person left the plane.