Reports from French Polynesia say a French military cargo aircraft has picked up 20 residents who were stranded in New Zealand because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The reports say the A400M aircraft had first flown supplies to the French base in New Caledonia and then returned via Auckland.
When the plane was deployed to French Polynesia last month, officials said it was for missions around both French Polynesia and the wider Pacific.
French military cargo A400M plane Photo: supplied FB
The reports say the aircraft didn't pick up residents stranded in New Caledonia.
There has been no official statement about the mission.
There has been sustained clamour by stranded French Polynesians stuck abroad for flights to return home.
Hundreds are blocked in Paris which remains linked to Tahiti with a weekly French government-sponsored relief flight but which in the main carries freight.