New Caledonia
French Presidential election: Implications for Australia’s closest French neighbour
Macron’s election to the Presidency creates increased uncertainty in the French Pacific territories, with developments on the eve of the vote potentially undermining stability in…
France’s Pacific territories are watching the election too
The results of the first round of the French presidential elections create new uncertainties for the French Pacific, particularly for Australia’s close neighbour New…
New Caledonia: French election calendar stymies progress
A recent visit to New Caledonia highlighted the complexities and risks of realpolitik in this French Pacific territory, where France's national election cycle has…
New Caledonia prepares for the future: two steps forward, one step back
French and New Caledonian leaders have achieved some important steps in preparing for the 2018 ‘final’ referendum process, the last stage of the 1988 Matignon and 1998 Noumea…
New Caledonia: Slow progress on defining its future
The latest meeting of those charged with steering New Caledonia into its next stage of governance went some small way to resolving sensitive political issues but also demonstrated…
New Caledonia census raises thorny political questions
The 2014 census results for New Caledonia have been published, showing changes in the ethnic composition of a growing population. These changes are central to the political…
Trouble in New Caledonia over links with China
Nickel mine at Thio, Southern Province, New Caledonia Photo: DeAgostini/Getty Images
In August the economy of the nickel-rich French territory of New Caledonia ground to a halt…
French elections reverberate in New Caledonia
You might wonder whether the result of the recent second round of French departmental elections – with Nicolas Sarkozy taking credit for the UMP's win…
New Caledonia: Australia must show assertive impartiality
Thirty years ago to the week, New Caledonia was torn apart by violent protests. The pro-independence FLNKS boycotted an election and town halls were burned throughout the country…
New Caledonia: Australia's benevolent disregard
Imagine that the most senior leader of one of Australia's neighbours resigns suddenly during a visit by a minister. And that this follows an election where the winners cannot…