Collapse of government in Paris sends shockwaves to Noumea
by Nic Maclellan A no-confidence motion in the French National Assembly has ousted the government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier. But for New Caledonians, still reeling from the economic, cultural and social
Kanak pro-independence leader Christian Téin to remain in mainland France jail
Pro-independence Kanak leader Christian Téin will remain in mainland France jail for the time being, a Court of Appeal ruled in Nouméa on Friday. This followed an earlier ruling on 22 October from the Court
Rebuilding New Caledonia’s shattered economy
We’re sitting on mats in the garden around a public housing tower in Noumea, as a small group of women and elders listen to updates from independence activists about the ongoing crisis in New Caledonia. Local
We Say: When issues find voice
As an oral people, Pacific islanders often put their thoughts into words and later into song or chants. These cries from the soul speak to the issues which trouble indigenous people – colonisation, suppression of
Emmanuel Tjibaou elected as Union Calédonienne president
Kanak cultural leader Emmanuel Tjibaou has been elected as president of Union Calédonienne, the oldest and largest political party in New Caledonia. His election came at the 43rd Union Calédonienne congress, held last
“We are all Pacific islanders, even if New Caledonia is French”
On the final day of the Pacific Islands Forum mission to New Caledonia, the delegation of Forum leaders broke bread with church and community elders at a working breakfast. Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka thanked
New Caledonia’s President meets with fellow Forum leaders
President Louis Mapou and the Government of New Caledonia has met with a visiting mission of Pacific Islands Forum leaders, with the Kanak politician noting “New Caledonia is at a turning point in its evolution, and
“We’re here as family”: Forum delegation arrives in New Caledonia
After months of delay, a high-level Pacific Islands Forum mission has arrived in New Caledonia for three days of dialogue and information sharing. In a busy program, the delegation will meet with members of New
Kanak activist Christian Tein’s imprisonment overturned by France’s highest court
The highest court in France has overturned a decision to lock up the Kanak pro-independence activist Christian
Overseas Minister buffeted by New Caledonia crisis
By Nic Maclellan, in Noumea, New Caledonia France’s newly appointed Overseas Minister François-Noël Buffet has travelled to New Caledonia for a four-day visit, pledging that “the time has come for the return of
Fewer tropical cyclones expected, says NIWA
The Southwest Pacific may see either fewer or a normal number of tropical cyclones this season, according to New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
New Caledonia, Fiji win at Oceania World Cup Qualifiers in Suva
New Caledonia was hot in pursuit of an early goal in their match against Papua New Guinea in Suva yesterday
Paris shifts gears on New Caledonia, after months of conflict
After nearly five months of conflict in New Caledonia, the French government has formally announced it will abandon a constitutional amendment on voting rights for New
New Caledonia’s constitutional reform will not go ahead: French PM
New Caledonia's controversial constitutional reform will not go ahead, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier
Whispers
Dispatches from Tonga The ubiquity of mobile phones is a growing issue at the Pacific Islands Forum. At last month’s leaders’ meeting in Nuku’alofa, every ceremony and event was captured on phones, with selfies
Deaths at Saint Louis overshadow anniversary of French colonisation
Tuesday 24 September marks the 171st anniversary of the French annexation of New Caledonia. By order of Napoleon III, Rear-Admiral Février-Despointes officially took possession of the main island Grande Terre in 1853,
Two Kanaks shot dead by French police in New Caledonia decried as ‘assassinations’
French police shot and killed two men in New Caledonia on Thursday, stoking tensions with pro-independence groups days ahead of a public holiday marking France’s annexation of the Pacific archipelago. The
Unrest-hit New Caledonia airlines in search of new markets
New Caledonia‘s domestic carrier Air Calédonie is set to launch a bi-weekly international connection to neighbouring Vanuatu. The new link is set to start operating from 3 October with two return flights, one
New Caledonia Loyalists welcome choice of French PM
Anti-independence politicians in New Caledonia have welcomed the appointment of Michel Barnier as the new French Prime Minister in Paris. A member of the conservative political party Les Républicains (LR), Barnier has
MSG Leaders push for strong stance on New Caledonia at Tonga Summit
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders, meeting on the sidelines of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, have called for a robust and unified approach to key regional issues, particularly the ongoing situation
French Polynesia hits Paris approach to New Caledonia
French Polynesia says France failed to heed warnings of unrest in New Caledonia and Paris needs to soften its diplomacy in the crisis-hit Pacific territory. The future of New Caledonia is a hot topic at the Pacific
Outgoing Forum Chair Mark Brown reflects on challenging times
“We’ve been mindful that our region is of great interest from a geopolitical perspective over the last few years or so,” says Prime Minister of Cook Islands Mark Brown. “But the security issues that are seen by
