Few New Zealanders left in Lebanon amid evacuations

Few New Zealanders remain in Lebanon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says.

Several countries are evacuating their nationals as Israel continues its airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

But many New Zealanders who were in the country have already departed, a spokesperson for MFAT said.

"All New Zealanders who have sought MFAT's assistance to leave Lebanon, and who are able to do so, have already departed or are due to depart today," they said.

"A very small number of New Zealanders have told us they need to make family arrangements before they can leave Lebanon. We are assisting those families and will work with international partners to secure access to flights for those individuals once they're able to depart."

The spokesperson said commercial flight options were also becoming available again.

There were 46 New Zealanders registered with MFAT's SafeTravel service on Tuesday 1 October, the day Israel began sending its troops into Lebanon.

On Monday 7 October MFAT said that number had fallen to 37 people - although that likely included some who had already departed.

"New Zealanders who wish to remain in Lebanon should shelter in a safe place, follow the advice of local authorities, and register on SafeTravel if they have not already," the spokesperson said.

"SafeTravel is the main mechanism MFAT uses to communicate with New Zealanders in a crisis."

Any New Zealander in need of urgent consular assistance can call the 24/7 emergency consular assistance call centre on +64 99 20 20 20.