The Auckland to Sydney flight at 11am was cancelled, following three earlier flights to Sydney having to be turned back.
Three flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch had to return after setting off between 7am and 8am today, Air NZ spokesman Mark Street told NZPA.
The Christchurch and Auckland flights returned home, while the Wellington flight diverted to Auckland.
"All flights have returned and the operations team are waiting for guidance from air traffic control in Sydney about when conditions are expected to improve.
"Passengers are waiting in the airport for the go-ahead," Mr Street said.
Passengers are expected to board planes to Sydney this afternoon.
One plane, due to leave Auckland at 4pm, has been upgraded from a 767 aircraft to a 747 to take the extra passengers stranded at Auckland International Airport.
But the afternoon's flights are all dependent on weather conditions improving in Sydney, Mr Street said.
Large areas of New South Wales and Sydney are experiencing severe winds and unseasonably warm temperatures.
Many parts are shrouded in dust and international flights have been diverted to Brisbane and Melbourne.
