It has happened to me, after flying from LHR-ICN-SYD-WLG. This was due to fog, but CHC was also closed so you can imagine how AKL was Left airport at 3:30 was told flight back was scheduled to be 9:00. NZ had taken us to the Grand Chancellor, 10 minutes from the airport but after waiting for check-in it was 4:15 before we got in the room.
Just a couple of points:
1) The winds in WLG have been very bad, they were very bad northerly cross winds, with the mountains either side of WLG causing severe turbulence. I have done two return flights this past fortnight, one took three landing attempts and the second took two. I much rather have the pilot fly to their and the aircraft's limits than for them to attempt heroics.
2) WLG has a 1:30 curfew, there have been exceptions to this, I live close to the airport.
3) AKL may have been a better choice for diversion. If the wind kept up the Cook Strait ferries would not be running, while you can always drive down from AKL in the worse situation. More hotel rooms close by and AKL may have a better crew base.
It is a pity that your flight was disruptive but the weather in NZ lately has been very bad.