Passengers were evacuated from a Christchurch-bound Air New Zealand 737 flight in Wellington today after a hazardous substance spill.

New Zealand head of mission Todd Cleaver wore a traditional sulu -- a wrap-around garment like a skirt worn by both men and women in Fiji -- to Nadi International Airport for his precipitate departure from the islands.

Nine US military and Coast Guard personnel are feared dead after a mid-air collision between a plane and helicopter over the Pacific Ocean, authorities said.

A negotiating team is standing by to rush to India for free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, but slow and steady will win the race, officials say.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt spent 23 hours zig-zagging his way across the globe from inner-Mongolia, across China and Singapore, to make it home in time for this afternoon's Ranfurly Shield celebrations.

Air New Zealand and other carriers can now pick up passengers in Australia en route to South Africa which will boost flight numbers between the countries.

There are fears of an aviation catastrophe over Sydney after it was revealed an average of 10 near misses occur between aircraft using NSW airspace every year.

New Zealand's national carrier has apologised to the families of victims of the nation's worst air disaster - 30 years after it happened.

Every day for nearly 30 years Margaret Modricker has worn her late mother's engagement ring and remembered the blackest days in New Zealand aviation history.

The Ranfurly Shield has arrived in its new home in Southland to a rapturous welcome by thousands of joyous fans.

Families still grieving nearly 30 years after New Zealand's worst air crash have been told they were not given enough support by Air New Zealand.

Nearly 30 years after an Air New Zealand jet slammed into Mt Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 257 on board, the airline is apologising to families of the dead.

KUNDUZ, Afghanistan (AFP) - A military aircraft crashed on Thursday in a mountainous area of northern Afghanistan, a local official said.

The Ranfurly Shield has a new home.

DUBAI (Reuters) - Six Sudanese crew members were killed in the crash of their cargo aircraft near Sharjah airport in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, Al Arabiya television reported.

Air New Zealand has won summary judgment against Air Niugini for almost $500,000.

Air New Zealand says it has had positive feedback to Friday's announcement of a big reduction in domestic air fares.

Air New Zealand has acknowledged "gaps and failings" in its handling of the Erebus tragedy, almost 30 years ago.