A man was removed from a Jetstar flight after trying to check in a chainsaw and making "inappropriate comments" on board.
The man became disruptive when he was told he could not check in petrol-powered items on the Jetstar flight from New Plymouth to Auckland last night, police said.
Airport staff called police and the man was given a warning.
But police were called back to the airport after the man continued to behave inappropriately, New Plymouth Senior Sergeant Bruce Irvine said.
"There was an argument between the man and airline staff. I don't think it was a big deal, but police had to remove him from the flight after he made further inappropriate comments."
Irvine said there was "nothing sinister" in the man's comments, but he had created a disturbance.
Jetstar spokesman Phil Boeyen said the man was disruptive.
"The police came to give him a warning about the chainsaw," he told the Herald.
"It was resolved but he made some more comments and the pilot wasn't happy to take him."
The man, who was accompanied by his partner and child, was then removed from the flight, Boeyen said.
He would not reveal what the man said, but said the comments were not security related.
The man was able to board a 7.15pm flight, which was delayed an hour because of his disturbance, the Jetstar spokesman said.