Several Government ministers also reportedly missed the Budget announcement this morning after their plane was diverted from flying into Wellington.
An Air NZ spokesperson said pilots operating flight NZ417 from Auckland to Wellington this morning made two attempts to land at Wellington Airport before making the decision to return to Auckland due to strong winds.
"We apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused," they said.
A spokesman for Education Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed the minister was onboard the flight.
"He flew into Palmerston North and drove back to Wellington," he said.
Flights coming in to Wellington were diverted back to Auckland due to high winds. Image / Facebook
Newstalk ZB radio host Heather du Plessis-Allan also attempted to fly to Wellington this morning on Air NZ Flight 421.
Du Plessis-Allan said as the plane began descending into Wellington, passengers were braced for turbulence as they had been warned of the high winds.
"I have flown into Wellington a lot of times, but this was next level bumpy. It was not a normal flight," she said.
"I had both feet planted firmly on the floor and my arms braced against the armrests. I was getting the sweats on and definitely looked to see if there was a sick bag.
"There was also someone who screamed at the back of the plane," she said.
"The scariest part was when they gunned for it. It was not your average turn-around, but the pilot really launched upwards and gunned it out of there."
A windy day won't mean much to Wellingtonians but it'll be a summer's day compared to what's in store for this long weekend.
A cold blast is expected to smash the country on Saturday with temperatures dropping by more than 10C and snow to dump on most mountains.
After the blast, Wellington's low is forecast as a cool 7C on Sunday.
Auckland can expect 14C on Saturday, before dropping to 8C overnight.
Temperatures will be cooler around inland cities and towns; Hamilton will get to 3C, Whakatane 4C, Taupo 2C and Tokoroa 1C.
The cold chill would likely last through the weekend before a second freeze is due to hit in the latter half of next week.
"But as we get into week two of June, things are going to likely rebound and turn milder, and we think that will likely be more indicative of the winter season," Niwa's Chris Brandolini said.
So far May has been on track to be the third warmest May on record since 1909, while the autumn season was on track to be the third or fourth warmest autumn on record.
Christchurch Police are releasing the above CCTV images in a further appeal for information on the whereabouts of 79-year-old Elisabeth Nicholls. Video \ NZ Police
