Wellington  - A baby died after its mother gave birth prematurely Friday during an Air New Zealand flight from Brisbane to Auckland, a news report said.

The New Zealand woman, who was travelling with her husband, went into labour as the plane approached Auckland, TV3 news reported.

It said nurses travelling on the plane tried to tie off the umbilical cord with shoe laces, but their efforts to save the baby failed.

It was born six weeks before its mother's due date. (dpa)