Alex Smeele: Kiwi stuck in New Caledonia on the state of the region amid ongoing civil unrest - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A Kiwi stuck in riot-stricken New Caledonia says they're dealing with a wait-and-see situation.

The Defence Force is standing by for French authorities to green light flights to collect Kiwis.

231 are registered in the country.

Alex Smeele says he's seen burnt out cars, a digger ripping up the road and flaming tyres on the verge.

"I'm curious to understand the overall timeline on that - knowing how many planes will be coming."

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