Australians planning a holiday to the South Pacific nation of New Caledonia have been advised to reconsider their decision due to ongoing tensions and crime on the island nation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated its advice on Tuesday, urging Australians to refrain from non-essential travel to the French archipelago as arson attacks and car thefts continue amid ongoing civil unrest.

The department warned that political protests planned for that time could quickly escalate into violent riots.

“In connection with the upcoming national holiday on September 24, there may be an increase in demonstrations and protests,” we read on the updated website of the Smartraveller department.

The warnings were issued despite an increased police and security presence in the region.

The nationwide curfew will be extended between September 21 and 24, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The curfew currently runs from 10pm to 5am.

The Department has urged Australians currently in New Caledonia to avoid demonstrations and public gatherings and to follow the advice of local authorities.

Holidaymakers warned to ‘consider’ need to travel to New Caledonia

In May, the paradise island was plunged into protests and riots following the French electoral plan

DFAT fears tensions sparked in May could become dangerous in the run-up to the national day

“Please reconsider your need to travel to New Caledonia due to ongoing civil unrest and travel disruptions there,” the site warns.

Historic political tensions between the indigenous Kanak people and ruling France came to a head in May after French President Emmanuel Macron planned voting reforms in the territory.

The government intended to extend provincial suffrage to French citizens who have been living in New Caledonia for more than 10 years.

This would give the right to vote to 24,000 people in the territory; Kanaks make up almost 40 percent of the territory’s population.

But the government’s later suspended plans angered residents who believed the move would soften support for the Kanaks.

Many feared that the plan would hinder the development of New Caledonia’s independence movement, which would plunge the island into chaos and spark protests.

In May, activists clashed with police, sparking social unrest that has yet to fully end.

Homes, cars and public buildings were set on fire during prolonged unrest, which was further inflamed by the arrests of independence movement leaders.

The French government wanted to reform electoral processes in the territory that sparked the riots

Ten people were reported to have died in the conflicts, and most tourists have left the islands.

In May, when a state of emergency was declared in New Caledonia and commercial flights were suspended, tourists from Australia were among those stranded in the country.

The New Caledonia Chamber of Commerce estimates that around $1 billion in losses and damage has been incurred on the island since the crisis began.

Residents in some suburbs have watched as people hastily erected barricades on their streets.