Fog affecting flights in Wellington has prevented several ministers from being able to attend the first Cabinet meeting of the year.
The fog blanketing Wellington's south coast hasn't deterred beachgoers. Photo: Lenny Lynch
Fog in Wellington prompted flight cancellations and suspended takeoffs as heat from across the Tasman brings heat and humidity.
All flights in and out of the capital were grounded this morning with hundreds of passengers affected.
The fog has now lifted, and Air New Zealand and Jetstar updated their flight departure lists with several expected to depart from about midday.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said many ministers were not able to make it to Wellington in time for the start of their meeting at 11am.
"We actually are expecting all ministers here today bar one, so this demonstrates to you, I guess, the impact the weather's had on us today.
"We will continue on though, we do have a quorum and government business waits for no one.
"So, an unusual start to the year."
Ms Ardern was still set to hold her regular post-cabinet news conference this afternoon.
Passengers on non-urgent travel were advised to re-book for a different day as the airline works through the backlog.
They were earlier told to go home if their flight was not urgent.
Check flight details at Wellington Airport.
Rob Dixon, who was supposed to fly out at 8.45am, said some people at the airport had been getting frustrated.
"There's a lot of people loitering but they've told people to go home if it's not an urgent travel," he said.
"They've closed the check-in, it's all gated off so they're not taking any new bookings or anything like that."
The heavy fog comes as scorching heat from across the Tasman spreads down the country, bringing humid weather and record-breaking temperatures.
