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."

LISTEN ABOVE

• 'Significant work' underway to get Kiwis trapped in New Caledonia home
• "We've been watching things by the hour": Kiwis trapped by violent unrest could return home
• 'Help is coming': Women, children and elderly to be evacuated first from New Caledonia
• New Caledonia: MFAT working with Australia to fly travellers stranded by civil unrest