File photo: Getty Images
A passenger on NZ5750, who declined to be named, said the ATR 72-600 was accelerating down the runway when the incident happened.
"We powered up to go down the runway, and then the pilots put the brakes on and advised that they saw a flock of birds."
He said the plane taxied back to the terminal, where it was checked.
"They confirmed that they'd hit a bird and now they're just checking the plane out."
He said he did not see or hear the bird strike.
"Everyone was very calm.
"And Air NZ did a good job actually — they kept us informed."
The flight was supposed to depart at 1.35pm, but eventually took off at about 3pm.
No other flights appeared to have affected by the incident.
