Forum Troika set for high-stakes New Caledonia mission
Incumbent Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed that a high-level Troika delegation will visit New Caledonia before the end of August. The mission, which has received
France crowned men’s rugby sevens Olympic champions in Paris
At the end of three scintillating days of Olympic men’s rugby sevens action, played out in front of captivated, capacity crowds of 69,000 at the iconic Stade de France, it was hosts France who took Paris 2024 gold
French President Macron yet to sign off on Pacific leaders request to visit New Caledonia
The French Ambassador to the Pacific says President Emmanuel Macron is yet to sign a letter from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) requesting authorisation for a high-level Pacific mission to New Caledonia. Véronique
Beu progressing well in build-up to Paris Olympics
Athletics Papua New Guinea president Tony Green has hailed the code’s Olympic Games representative Leonie Beu for her performance over the weekend at the American Track League. Beu competed at the meet in Tennessee,
Six athletes will represent PNG at the 2024 Paris Olympics
The Papua New Guinea Olympics Committee has announced six athletes representing the country at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France starting 26 July -11 August 2024. The athletes including Josh Tarere, and Georgia
French police kill alleged gunman amid continued unrest in New Caledonia
French police shot and killed an alleged gunman in New Caledonia on Wednesday, local prosecutors said, bringing the toll of almost two months of unrest in the French Pacific territory to 10. The suspect was killed
Tjibaou and Metzdorf win New Caledonia’s seats in French National Assembly
In New Caledonia, Emmanuel Tjibaou has won a seat in the French National Assembly – the first time in 38 years that a pro-independence Kanak leader will serve in the French legislature in Paris. Emmanuel is the son of
FLNKS congress postponed, as independence movement debates the way forward
In a fast moving and complex situation, both supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia are preparing for the outcome of French elections later this month. Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan
Nine dead since start of New Caledonia unrest
A man in his thirties who was shot amongst the New Caledonia rioting has died of his wounds. He was allegedly shot by a gendarme who responded after being targeted, according to initial investigations, the public
New Caledonia reels as President Macron dissolves French parliament
Despite weeks of rioting and clashes between police and protestors in New Caledonia, French authorities in Noumea decided to proceed with elections for the European Parliament on Sunday, a poll open to all French
A message to Macron: “You can’t negotiate with a gun to your head”
Political, church and community leaders from New Caledonia have called on French President Emmanuel Macron to fully withdraw a controversial constitutional amendment on voting rights – the trigger for recent riots and
The tragedy of New Caledonia
On the night of Monday 13 May, Noumea exploded. Across many parts of New Caledonia’s capital, young people took to the streets, stoning French riot police, looting and burning shops, car yards and factories. The next
France lifts state of emergency in New Caledonia, maintains curfew
France on Tuesday lifted a state of emergency in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia but is maintaining a curfew and sending hundreds of paramilitary reinforcements after two weeks of unrest in which seven people
France’s Macron delays New Caledonia voting reform after protests
French President Emmanuel Macron says he will delay a voting reform in New Caledonia that the Indigenous Kanak people on the French-ruled Pacific islands say would dilute their votes and undermine their struggle for
As protests grow in New Caledonia, Australia backs France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
As the French National Assembly and Senate debate changes to New Caledonia’s electoral laws, there are protests in the streets of Noumea. On Saturday 13 April, tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of
Crisis brewing as France seeks changes to New Caledonia’s electoral rolls
As the French National Assembly and Senate debate changes to New Caledonia’s electoral laws, there are protests in the streets of Noumea from both supporters and opponents of independence. Backed by local
French foreign minister says she is open to South Pacific resettlement requests due to rising seas
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Monday she was open to any resettlement request from tiny South Pacific nations threatened by rising sea levels, similar to Australia’s agreement with Tuvalu. Colonna
French companies aim to solidify footprint in the Pacific
Through banking, renewable energy and water security — French companies are looking to solidify their footprint in Fiji and the Pacific region through its ‘Make it Iconic’ campaign. The campaign aims to
Pacific churches discuss self-determination for Kanaky
“You belong to the family and the household of the Pacific more than you belong to Europe. We do not need to invite you in order to welcome you. You have been a Pacific people right from the beginning.” Reverend Dr.
New Caledonia independence parties prepare for talks with France
Key members of the New Caledonia’s independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) have debated policy at party congresses, in preparation for looming negotiations with the French
French criticism of nuclear ban treaty highlights Canberra’s dilemma
Can Australia rebuild a strategic military partnership with France at the same time as independence movements claim Pacific support? On 28 September, the Assembly of French Polynesia unanimously passed a resolution
Macron’s magical mystery tour of Melanesia
The whirlwind tour of Melanesia by French President Emmanuel Macron received widespread media acclaim in July, as he visited the French Pacific dependency of New Caledonia and made unprecedented stopovers in Vanuatu and
Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B squads: Tonga include four former capped All Blacks
Tonga’s squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 includes some big names and also some notable exclusions with the inclusion of four former capped All Blacks and a Wallaby. Captain Sonatane Takulua and hooker Paula Ngauamo