Auckland Airport has lifted restrictions after a blanket of fog caused disruptions for hundreds of passengers throughout the morning.
An Auckland Airport spokesman said flights had been effected by fog since about 1.30am. The fog restrictions were lifted at 11am.
In total, approximately 16 domestic flights were delayed and 32 domestic flights were cancelled due to the fog, he said.
Some international flights had also been affected.
A flight from Rarotonga was diverted to Christchurch this morning, and another from outside of Hong Kong was delayed, but had since landed, the spokesman said.
A third international flight was late to depart from Auckland Airport.
An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said a number of domestic flights had been affected.
She said passengers were advised to visit the Air New Zealand website for up to date travel information.
Among those stranded was Tokoroa woman Akarere Henry who travelled from the South Waikato town to Auckland this morning.
"We had to leave at 5.30am to check in at 8.30am so of course we arrived only to be greeted with the news that God has deemed it impossible to fly today.
She was travelling to Whangarei to spend time with her newly born grandchild.
"I'm going to spend a week with my newly arrived fourth grandchild so I've got a really disappointed family on the other side," she said.
"It's been long-awaited for the parents who have been trying for 15 years so it's been a really special time for us as a family so I'm feeling a little bit deflated sitting outside in the Auckland cold."
Henry said Auckland Airport have provided her an alternative option to travel to Whangarei by shuttle and she was hoping to arrive there early this afternoon.
A spokeswoman for Jetstar said none of their flights had been affected by the fog.
MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said "pretty thick fog" had cloaked Auckland Airport since 1am.
"It's caused by high humidity and light winds over Auckland overnight."
MetService had forecast a mainly fine day for Auckland, with some evening cloud and northeasterly winds developing.
Passengers were advised to check Auckland Airports website www.aucklandairport.co.nz or its iPhone app for flight arrival and departure information.
It's understood a NZDF aircraft and multiple helicopters are involved.