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File photo taken on Sept. 10, 2018 shows an Air New Zealand plane preparing to land on the Wellington Airport in Wellington, New Zealand. An Air New Zealand plane from Palmerston North to Christchurch was forced to return on June 1, 2019 after being struck by lightning. The incident took place less than 12 hours after another Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Tahiti was struck by lightning about 10 minutes after it took off on Friday evening, local media reported. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

WELLINGTON, May 31 (Xinhua) -- An Air New Zealand plane was forced to return to Auckland Friday evening after encountering lightning while flying to South Pacific's Tahiti.

"The aircraft will be inspected by engineers," a Air NZ statement said.

"Lightning strikes are not uncommon. Aircraft are designed with this in mind and our pilots train for this scenario," the statement said, adding that "customers will be accommodated on alternative services."

New Zealand's weather forecast agency MetService said that a lot of severe weather would last between Friday and Monday. More heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to affect parts of central and southern New Zealand Friday, and Severe Weather Orange Warnings and Watches remain in force.