NZDF, Vanuatu, New Caledonia arrive in Honiara for Pacific Games
A group of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel, with two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters, has arrived in Honiara to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), as the country
Melanesian delegations meet in Rarotonga
As this week’s program kicks off in Rarotonga, member states of the Pacific Island Forum have held sub-regional caucuses, to prepare for the week’s wide-ranging agenda. Leaders and delegates from Melanesia,
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
Unprecedented victory for FLNKS in French Senate race
In a major electoral upset, Kanak independence politician Robert Xowie has won one of New Caledonia’s two seats in the French Senate in Paris. His second-round electoral victory over Loyalist leader Sonia Backès came
Careers in ocean science beckons to young Pacific women
Pacific young women are taking a greater interest in protecting our oceans for the future. At last week’s inaugural conference on ocean science and ocean management in Nadi, Fiji, Tanga Morris Jnr, 26, said that
New Caledonia’s nickel sector faces energy crunch
French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to New Caledonia highlighted the strategic importance of the vast reserves of nickel in the French Pacific dependency. Speaking in Noumea, President Macron said:
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
West Papua high on agenda as MSG leaders set to convene in Port Vila
The Pacific region’s focus will shift briefly to Port Vila this week when Vanuatu hosts the heads of governments from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the leader of the FLNKS of New Caledonia for the
Macron plans a new political statute for New Caledonia
In a major speech in Noumea, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed he would forge ahead to seek changes to the French Constitution in early 2024, to reform voting rights and create a new statute for New Caledonia
Vanuatu MP says Macron should act on Matthew and Hunter
As Emmanuel Macron prepares to visit Port Vila on Thursday, a leading member of Vanuatu’s Parliament has called on the French President to address the long-running dispute over Matthew and Hunter Islands and the
Macron begins Melanesia tour in New Caledonia
French President Emmanuel Macron has begun his five-day visit to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, outlining his “economic, environmental and geopolitical program.” Arriving at Tontouta airport in New
French President to visit Melanesian nations
In an unprecedented tour, French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea next week, after holding discussions in New Caledonia on the political future of the French Pacific dependency. The
AS Academy Feminine win first-ever OFC Women’s Champions League in Port Moresby
AS Academy Féminine have come from behind to beat Koloale FC 4-1 and deservedly win the inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League title in Port Moresby. The New Caledonian side, who needed at least a draw to clinch
New Caledonia’s FLNKS wants ICJ advice on contested vote
A New Caledonian pro-independence leader says the advice of the International Court of Justice is being sought over the contested 2021 referendum on independence from France. Roch Wamytan, who is the president of New
India snubs French territories for regional summit
The third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) will be held in Papua New Guinea on 22 May – but the full membership of the Pacific Islands Forum has not been invited. New Caledonia and French Polynesia
Death of a newspaper
The closure of New Caledonia’s only daily newspaper Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes highlights the commercial and political challenges facing media across the Pacific. The death of a newspaper strikes hard — and not
What’s next for New Caledonia?
25 years after the Noumea Accord Twenty-five years ago, the French government joined supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia to adopt the Noumea Accord – a political agreement that mapped out a
In New Caledonia, Australia urges Pacific island unity amid China, U.S competition
Australia’s foreign minister urged Pacific island countries on Thursday to stay united in the face of great power competition as she visited New Caledonia, where the president raised concerns about
Mapou to welcome Australia’s foreign minister to New Caledonia
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is scheduled to travel to New Caledonia this week, to meet with President Louis Mapou, the first Kanak independence leader to head the Government of New Caledonia in forty years.
FLNKS joins bilateral talks in Paris
A delegation from the Kanak independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) travels to Paris this week, for discussions with the French government on New Caledonia’s political status.
New Caledonia basketballers set for debut at Asia Cup
New Caledonia will make history by playing in basketball’s 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore for the first time. Both its men’s and women’s teams will be taking part in the shortened version of the sport
Noumea beaches closed due to shark attacks
Beachgoers in New Caledonia have protested against the closure of Noumea’s swimming beaches until the end of the year. The mayor took the decision ten days ago because of a spate of shark attacks, including the
Free Visa access to New Caledonia soon
Vanuatu and New Caledonia are expected to reach a visa waiver agreement soon. This news comes after a meeting between Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
