Carry-on baggage prohibited and restricted items

To keep everyone safe, there are some things you must not take into the aircraft cabin and some that need to comply with specific conditions.

Local airport security restrictions on carry-on items vary from country to country and you may need to check local criteria on restricted items. 

We recommend that you visit recalls.govt.nz for a list of products that have been recalled due to faults.

Quick list of prohibited items

  • Sharp objects or cutting implements, such as knives, box cutters, letter openers, scissors, tradesman's tools, screwdrivers and darts
  • Sporting goods or club like items, such as baseball bats, pool cues, golf clubs, lacrosse sticks, ski poles, brass knuckles, hammers, boomerangs and didgeridoos
  • More than one box of matches or lighter (see additional information below)
  • Firearms or weapons including replicas
  • Nearly all flammable, explosive, corrosive or toxic items
  • Printer or toner cartridges weighing 16oz or 453g or greater on flights departing to, through or from the USA, Vancouver and London
  • Liquid oxygen systems (see gaseous oxygen cylinders under approval required below)
  • Disabling devices containing an irritant or incapacitating substance, such as pepper spray
  • Electric shock weapons containing dangerous goods such as explosives, compressed gas or lithium batteries
  • Aerosols that are not medicinal or toiletry items
  • Security type equipment - such as attaché cases, cash boxes and cash bags - that include lithium batteries, pyrotechnical material or other dangerous goods as part of the equipment
  • Hoverboard, Mini-Segway, solo wheel, air wheel, balance wheel, Lithium powered skateboard or Personal transportation devices with on-board storage and similar lithium battery powered small recreational vehicles
  • Installed or spare lithium batteries with ratings more than 160Wh or 8g lithium content, see travelling with lithium batteries
  • Battery-powered wheelchairs or mobility devices may only be carried as checked-in baggage and you must tell us about them when you book. For information on travelling with each battery type, see services for people with wheelchairs
  • Permeation devices for calibrating air quality monitoring equipment; but are allowed as checked-in baggage under strict conditions, contact us for details
  • Samsung Note 7 cannot be carried, either on your person, in carry-on or in checked in luggage
  • Durian fruit cannot be carried, either on your person, in carry-on or in checked in luggage
  • Culturally or religiously significant items, such as Mere, Patu, Taiaha, Dirks, and Sgian Dubhs. Tokotoko is permitted in cabin only if required as a mobility aid. Kirpans are permitted in cabin only if blade is less than 6cm.

Check out our guide to the items you can't pack for your flight.

For flights departing New Zealand

For flights departing other countries

Liquids, aerosols, powders, pastes and gels (LAGs)

Drinks and food

Medical

Personal security, grooming, toiletries, aerosols

Batteries and electrical

Sporting and recreational equipment

Mobility, battery-powered wheelchairs, gas-operated limbs

Tools and sharp objects

Culturally or religiously significant items

Flammable, explosive, corrosive and toxic items

Firearms and ammunition

Security type attaché cases, cash boxes and cash bags