Plane crashes near Waikanae

11.30pm - UPDATED

Police tonight confirmed a plane had crashed near Waikanae, north of Wellington.

Senior Sergeant Peter Thurston said police searching north of Paraparaumu found wreckage on land.

The search was launched after locals reported hearing a plane circling overhead before a loud bang which sounded like thunder. The smell of aviation fuel was also reported.

It was initially believed the plane crashed at sea near Peka Peka but Mr Thurston was unable to confirm this.

He said aircraft was a Convair freight plane, with two or three crew aboard.

It is understood the plane, which was en route from Christchurch to Palmerston North, disappeared from Ohakea's radar about 9.30pm

Mr Thurston said it was pitch black, the weather was atrocious, and because Wellington was cut off because of road and rail closures, Palmerston North police had been enlisted in the search.

Police, Coastguard, the Westpac Rescue helicopter and other emergency service staff were combing the Kapiti Coast.

Kapiti Mana police area controller, Inspector John Spence, said some debris had been found in the water, about half a mile out to sea off the Paraparaumu-based Kapiti Boating Club and other debris was washing up on beaches in the Waikanae area.

There was no word yet on survivors, he said in a statement.

Kapiti Coastguard said tonight it was investigating unconfirmed reports from locals of seeing debris on land and sea and hearing "loud bangs", a spokesman said.

A Coastguard vessel was searching the area off shore, he said.

Airways Corporation spokesman Ken Mitchell said he understood two people had been on board, but all information remained unconfirmed for now.

It is understood the plane belongs to Christchurch-based Airfreight New Zealand which operates five Convair freight planes.

Airfreight New Zealand manager Murray Johnson said tonight he was gathering information, and news of the crash was "very distressing".

The company is a subsidiary of Palmerston North-based Field Air Holdings.

Owner of the Sand Castle Motel in Pekapeka, Mabs Le Page, said she heard "an enormous bang" about 9.30pm.

"It was loud, but not like thunder... a cracking explosive noise," she said.

However, she said she saw no sign of flames when she looked outside the beachfront motel.

The noise sounded as if it was heading out to sea, Mrs Le Page said.

A fire engine, police and some volunteers were at the beach.

Visibility was poor with very low cloud, she said.

"It's pitch black outside."

The sea was "wild", but high wind and heavy rains had died down.

Planes often "hugged the beach" during bad weather on their way back to Wellington Airport, she said.

- NZPA