Passengers have to be rescreened after a security breach. Photo: NZME
An airport spokeswoman said a passenger running late for a flight went through an arrivals door, avoiding the usual screening procedure through the security processing area.
The breach meant everyone in the domestic terminal who has already been screened and either sitting on a plane or waiting in the departure lounges had to undergo the security process again.
The spokeswoman said three flights were immediately affected but there would be ongoing delays as aviation security had to empty the departure area of the terminal, make sure it was empty, and then let passengers back through.
Flights have since resumed.
The Civil Aviation Authority would decide whether the passenger would be prosecuted.
