General consensus our Defence Force plane is embarrassing New Zealand.

The Prime Minister and his delegation were stranded in Papua New Guinea - en route to Japan - after two fuses blew while the 757 was refuelling.

Chris Luxon took a commercial flight to Japan - and Air New Zealand's diverting a flight to collect his 52-strong delegation, which has taken a slow trip to Brisbane in the 757.

ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says flying on the Air Force plane gives an important signal on trade visits.