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
New Caledonia and Vanuatu withdraw from FestPAC amid deadly unrest
A festival planner announced Monday that a Pacific country and an island territory of France have withdrawn their participation in the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. The announcement comes as Hawaii is
Opinion: Why is New Caledonia on fire? According to local women, the deadly riots are about more than voting rights
New Caledonia’s capital city, Noumea, has endured widespread violent rioting over the past 48 hours. This crisis intensified rapidly, taking local authorities by surprise. Peaceful protests had been occurring across
French authorities must uphold rights of the Indigenous Kanak people amid unrest
Responding to ongoing unrest in the non-self-governing French territory of Kanaky New Caledonia after the French Parliament adopted a bill changing the territory’s voting rules, Amnesty International’s Pacific
ADF ‘ready to fly’ as death toll rises in New Caledonia, NZDF Hercules awaits French approval
As Australians stranded in New Caledonia amid unrest beg for help to come home, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says the defence force is “ready to fly” once commercial flights to the territory resume. Six
France declares state of emergency in New Caledonia
After three nights of rioting in Noumea, with violent clashes between police and protestors, French President Emmanuel Macron has declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia, taking effect from Thursday morning. The
Violent clashes in Noumea as French National Assembly debates voting rights
As the French parliament in Paris considers legislation to reform voting rights in New Caledonia, there has been a night of rioting and arson in Noumea. On Monday, a series of peaceful protest rallies highlighted calls
Scientific shark study resumes in New Caledonia
A scientific study on shark presence and behaviour is to resume shortly in New Caledonia’s Southern Province, where two incidents in February last year prompted an indiscriminate culling campaign. A similar
Reversing the tide of colonial anthropology
Doctor Tarisi Vunidilo has emerged as a leading voice in the growing movement across the Pacific in recent years to repatriate Pacific treasures, as well as human remains from museums across Europe and other parts of
Pacific obesity rates continue to concern
Pacific Island nations have the highest rates of obesity in the world, a new study has revealed. The study from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), a worldwide network of over 1500 researchers and
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
Eramet reaches agreement to continue SLN’s New Caledonia operations
French mining group Eramet said on Wednesday it had reached an agreement with the French government to continue its subsidiary SLN’s mining operations in New Caledonia’s Northern Province. Under the agreement,
More demonstrations expected in Noumea as New Caledonia voting rules change
Demonstrations have been held in New Caledonia – with more protests expected – from both pro- and anti-independence supporters after the French Senate endorsed a constitutional amendment bill to
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
Eramet reaches deal to convert debt of New Caledonia nickel unit
Eramet said on Monday it had reached an agreement with the French government to remove from its balance sheet hundreds of million of euros of debt related to its loss-making nickel subsidiary SLN in New Caledonia.
Clashes between pro-independence protesters, police as three French ministers visit New Caledonia
Militants and protesters clashed with police in downtown Nouméa on Wednesday as New Caledonia plays host to three French government ministers this week. The crowd – an estimated 2,000 according to
“We are facing Goliath” – West Papuan church leaders call for solidarity
“We are facing Goliath, or even the Pharaoh,” says West Papua church leader Rode Wanimbo, “but we still have to speak out strong.” Wanimbo is coordinator of the Women’s Department of the Evangelical Christian
The Pacific Games concluded with New Caledonia as the clear winner
The New Caledonia delegation finished the 18th edition of the Pacific Games at the top of the medal table. With 197 medals, including 82 golds, they solidified their position as the best, followed by the next
New Caledonia passes first sugar tax bill
New Caledonia’s Congress has endorsed, for the first time, a new “flexible” tax on sugar products. The tax, in its initial stages, targets a first list of sugary food products. During the Congress
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.
Pacific Games update: Day 4 highlights
New Caledonia is leading the medal tally after the fourth day of competition at the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. New Caledonia took the lead after dominating the pool with eight gold medals, seven silver and eight
“The Spirit of Do Kamo”: church youth delegates meet in New Caledonia
As the bus traverses the Col des rousettes – a pass through New Caledonia’s central mountain chain – the guitars come out. Heading towards the east coast town of Waa wi Lûû (Houaïlou), the bus resonates to
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
