Amid continuing unrest in New Caledonia, our Defence Force is preparing rescue flights for about 250 stranded Kiwis.

Protests in Noumea have been escalating after violence broke out over proposed changes to voter lists – with six dead and hundreds arrested.

French authorities have declared a state of emergency – as pro-independence supporters and security forces clash.

Today, Chelsea talks with Mike Lightfoot, a Kiwi tourist currently stuck in Noumea, who updates us on the situation as he awaits evacuation, and then geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller to explain how the unrest began – and what steps can be taken to promote calm.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

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