Third Royal New Zealand Air Force flight for New Zealanders in New Caledonia

A third Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) flight has brought approximately 50 passengers from New Caledonia to Auckland, following recent unrest in New Caledonia.

The RNZAF C-130H (NZ) Hercules flew to New Caledonia this morning, arriving back into Auckland this afternoon.

The first flight on Tuesday, saw 48 passengers returned to New Zealand on our Hercules aircraft following approval by French authorities for assisted departure flights.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, a further 50 passengers were repatriated back to Auckland on an RNZAF Boeing 757. These passengers had travelled from Noumea to Brisbane on a French-operated flight, before boarding the RNZAF Boeing bound for Auckland.

With approximately 50 passengers on board the Hercules today, this brings the number of passengers returning to New Zealand so far on RNZAF flights to around 150.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of around 160 New Zealanders remaining in New Caledonia who wish to depart.

Officials are continuing to work on arrangements for further flights.