An ANZ Air New Zealand Airbus A320-200, registration ZK-OXK performing flight NZ-615 from Auckland to Queenstown (New Zealand) with 141 people on board, was enroute at FL360 about 120nm north of Christchurch (New Zealand) when the crew decided to divert to Christchurch due to a lightning strike. The aircraft landed safely on runway 20 about 35 minutes later.
A passenger reported they were about half way into the climb out of Auckland when the aircraft performed a quick quite sharp turn to the left followed by lightning hitting the top of the right hand engine (V2527) and whacked the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently diverted to Christchurch.
A replacement A320-200 registration ZK-OXD departed Christchurch about 90 minutes after ZK-OXK had landed and reached Queenstown with a delay of 75 minutes.