A rescue mission for New Zealanders stranded in New Caledonia is underway, with the first 50 passengers expected to return to Auckland on Tuesday night.
It's been eight days since violence rocked the capital and some have questioned why it's taken so long for France to approve evacuations by foreign military.
A Hercules C-130 left the Whenuapai airbase in Auckland bound for Noumea around 1pm on Tuesday - the first of multiple flights.
Mangawhai Heads local Mike Lightfoot was in New Caledonia with his wife for a short holiday when the rioting began.
He says New Zealand getting the green light from France to fly out is a welcome development after days of uncertainty.
"It's exciting news, finally we feel like something is happening and to hear that a Hercules C-130 is on its way to Magenta [Airport] to pick some Kiwis up is fantastic."
Wellington resident Barbara Graham has been in Noumea researching for her PhD and says she's looking forward to getting home to her partner and six-year-old son.
"I'm thrilled, it's great news. I'm really, really pleased because it's been a lot of waiting for that news," she said.
Video sent to Newshub shows New Zealanders boarding a bus at Hôtel Château Royal to meet the Defence plane. Passengers are being prioritised according to need.
It was early last week when gunfire and explosions rocked the capital.
The fallout followed moves in Paris to change the voting rules which indigenous Kanak say will weaken their influence.
Those stranded will be collected from Magenta domestic airport in Noumea.
The airport is a 16-minute drive to Hôtel Château Royal, where around 50 New Zealanders are waiting to leave.
However, the international airport is still closed. That airport is 45 kilometres from the capital Noumea.
French police have been trying to clear barricades set up by protestors on the road to the international airport.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said officials have moved as swiftly as possible.
"You've got New Zealanders who are in a situation of danger and our job is to ensure we did our utmost with the greatest speed possible to get them out," he said.
But Lightfoot questions why it's taken France so long to approve foreign military evacuations, especially as Magenta airport has been hosting French planes for days and the road to get there is free of obstructions.
"We were watching the planes fly into Magenta bringing the gendarme and military in here," he said.
"So that was kind of frustrating to see that happening knowing that this airport was in operation with a safe route to Noumea, but yet we were not able to get out."
Getting out now appears a certainty, although it could take a couple of days for all 250 New Zealanders, plus those of other Pacific nations to get home.
The Australian Defence Force has also been given permission to start evacuations, with its C-130 touching down at Magenta on Tuesday.
