Stranded pregnant NZ journalist received 'more empathy' from Taliban than home country

A pregnant New Zealand journalist stranded in Afghanistan says she's found "more empathy from the Taliban" than her own country after attempting to come back home, according to Rita Panahi.

Charlotte Bellis revealed in an open letter how "brutally ironic" it was that the Taliban chose to come to her aid amid an unsuccessful application to return to New Zealand from the Middle East.

"The Islamist terrorists of the Taliban have given her some consideration because of the situation she's in – nothing from New Zealand," Rita Panahi said.