Air New Zealand flight diverted to Cairns after passenger death

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said there had been a medical emergency on-board the aircraft. Photo / Getty Images

A flight from Hong Kong to Auckland was diverted to Cairns earlier this morning, after an emergency arose on-board the plane.

Air New Zealand flight ANZ80 arrived at Cairns International Airport about 2.30am, after it was understood a passenger died on-board the Boeing 787-9, news.com.au reported.

The Auckland-bound flight was diverted to Cairns after a medical emergency arose on-board. Photo / FlightAware

It is not known how the passenger died.

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said there had been a medical emergency on-board the aircraft.

"For obvious privacy reasons, we're not able to provide further information about the passenger," she said.

She said the aircraft continued onto Auckland, and arrived about two hours behind schedule.