A flight from Christchurch has been forced to circle over Invercargill after instruments indicated a landing gear fault.
Air New Zealand said the Bombardier Q300 plane delayed landing on Saturday afternoon while checks were carried out.
Emergency services on the ground were also put on standby.
The flight landed safely, just over an hour behind schedule, shortly before 3pm.
Bombardier Q300s are turbo-prop planes used by Air New Zealand on regional routes.
They can seat up to 56 passengers.