First New Caledonia evacuation flight lands in Auckland

A Defence Force plane carrying 50 New Zealanders evacuated from New Caledonia has landed at Auckland Airport this evening.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it will be working with France and Australia to ensure the safe departure of several evacuation flights amidst civil unrest in the island state.

The first flight took off from the capital of Noumea after a short turnaround at Magenta aerodrome at 7pm, and landed in Auckland at about 10pm.

Those arriving to Auckland Airport on the New Zealand Defence Force plane said they were relieved to be back.

Many reunited with loved ones, while others were sent onto the hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Chris and Mike Riley were arriving back from New Caledonia from what was meant to be a week-long trip.

Chris Riley said they heard lots of explosions, fireworks and gunfire from where they were.

"We were in a lovely place actually, it was quite peaceful, but we were trapped because we couldn't get through because of all the troubles that were there," she said.

Mike Riley said they are both relieved to be home.

"We're not in a hurry to go anywhere apart from Kerikeri," he said.

Carl, who did not provide a last name, was in a tourist area of New Caledonia for the past two weeks, which he said was sheltered from the riots.

He said it felt great to get on the defence force flight.

"It was a bit of a different type of trip back to New Zealand, but it was fun."

Noumea's international airport remains closed.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the New Zealanders on the flight would have had a security escort to the airport.

Pacific Island nations were among those who had sought New Zealand's help to evacuate citizens, he said.

Peters said there would be more flights over the next few days to get all 250 Kiwis out of the French territory, which has been in the grip of riots and political unrest.

He hoped another flight would leave for New Caledonia in the morning.