More than 1000 passengers had to be rescreened at Auckland Airport, causing long lines, after a body scanner lost power last night.
A spokesperson said aviation security found the fault about 7pm, but it was only picked up after 53 passengers passed through the gates.
Staff had no idea how to pinpoint them among the others lining up to get on planes, prompting all staff, air crew and passengers to be re-screened at the international terminal.
He said although the fault was fixed promptly there were long lines while passengers had to come back through security to be re-scanned.
All international flights were delayed but none were cancelled.
The airport company is referring questions to Aviation Security, whose spokesperson Mike Richards said this morning he was waiting to get a full report from the operation.
He said the focus last night was to get all passengers screened as quickly as possible and without compromising security requirements.