Violinist Sally McIntyre is one of many Air NZ and Jetstar passengers today stranded in Wellington due to snow and icy conditions in the South Island.

Nearly 20 flights in and out of Wellington Airport have been cancelled, mainly to and from Christchurch and Dunedin.

Sixty-eight of the airline's flights have been affected by delays and cancellations nationwide, these also include flights for  Blenheim and Palmerston North.

Jetstar has cancelled 14 flights including two international flights between Melbourne and Christchurch.

Air New Zealand communications manager Brigitte Ransom said flow-on cancellations and delays across the network were expected and the airline apologised passengers for any inconvenience caused.

Resuming a normal schedule would depend on weather conditions in Christchurch and Dunedin.

Customers on cancelled services have been rebooked on flights later today where possible but some had chosen to return home and fly tomorrow instead, she said.

None of the airline's international flights have yet been affected.

Ms McIntyre was meant to fly with Jetstar to Christchurch today, en-route home to Dunedin.

After the cancellation the next direct flight she could get on was on Friday, meaning she was staying at a friend's house in Brooklyn for two extra nights.

She had spent six weeks on Kapiti Island on an artists' residence recording bird songs.

The ferry back to the mainland had been delayed by two days because of bad weather.

"I have been away for a while so I was really looking forward to going home," she told The Dominion Post at Wellington Airport today.

"It's not really the romance of travel any more.''

But looking on the bight side were Tuatahi Taha, Natalya Grainger, and their two children Tyrrece Taha, 5, and Kahurangi Taha, 4.

For each of them,  today's flight home was only their second plane trip.

Tomorrow's deferred Jetstar trip meant they got a longer plane ride.

"It's exciting,'' Ms Grainger said. "We get a longer trip."

Related:

Wellington roads flooded

Contact Matt Stewart
Weather, science and environment reporter
Email: matt.stewart@dompost.co.nz
Twitter: @smatape

- © Fairfax NZ News

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