New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has acknowledged that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly involving the US, Israel, and Iran, has significantly disrupted the plans of many New Zealanders currently in the region. In a recent interview, he mentioned that the government is exploring various contingencies to assist these citizens but emphasized the complexities of the situation. Peters highlighted that the government is communicating with airline representatives to confirm the status of flights amid the regional tensions.

The situation has become more dynamic as the United Arab Emirates has partially reopened its airspace, allowing some limited flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, there are still no official announcements regarding flights back to Australia or New Zealand. The government is monitoring the evolving circumstances closely and advising its citizens to remain updated and take caution if they can safely make their way to airports.

In contrast, other countries like Spain and the United Kingdom have begun organizing evacuation flights for their nationals, while Australia has established an emergency portal for its citizens. Peters referenced the complexity and unpredictability of potential evacuation flights for New Zealanders, urging people to stay informed and linked with government advisories as the situation develops.