Passengers on a flight from Buenos Aires to Auckland have been delayed leaving the plane after a person died onboard

An Air New Zealand spokesperson's confirmed the death occurred on flight NZ31, which landed at Auckland International Airport just before 5 this morning.

One passenger told the Herald flight crew asked if there was a doctor onboard shortly before landing.

They said they were told it was a serious medical event after landing, and passengers weren't able to disembark for almost an hour while officials dealt with the situation.