1 Nov 2024
An all-male Pacific peace mission to New Caledonia excludes women’s voices in the crisis
Women are being made invisible, yet their actions are consequential.
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21 Aug 2024
Polycrisis in the Pacific: How leaders will respond at the PIF Summit in Tonga
A tiny capital will be host to a huge regional agenda. -
29 Jul 2024
The unheard potential of moderate voices in New Caledonia’s crisis
Hope for a “common destiny” is not yet lost despite the violent unrest and hardening views. -
11 Jul 2024
A surprising litmus test for New Caledonia’s independence parties
The French election saw New Caledonia’s independence parties attain an overall majority in the first territory-wide poll since the 2018–21 referendums. -
26 Jun 2024
New Caledonia: France’s way or the Pacific way?
Legal, yes. Constructive? A pattern is emerging. -
12 Jun 2024
France’s legislative elections and complications for New Caledonia
There is only hope, however vain, that this move may provide space for calm reassessment of positions. -
27 May 2024
Next steps for New Caledonia in the wake of Macron’s proposals
A flying visit by the French president to the Pacific territory leaves a long road ahead. -
14 May 2024
Violence erupts in New Caledonia as independence supporters oppose legislation in Paris
Macron’s plan has backfired. But there can be no sustainable solution without cooperation of all parties. -
16 Apr 2024
New Caledonia: Uncertainty and division intensify as Paris imposes its will
Work is needed now to ensure history does not repeat. -
16 Jan 2024
New Caledonia: France’s threat to impose change unilaterally weakened
A French State Council decision, quietly released just after Christmas, has set back Paris’ timetable. -
3 Oct 2023
New Caledonia: Independence leader wins French Senate seat over Macron favourite
An extraordinary result further complicates France’s hope of securing early agreement about the future. -
19 Jun 2023
Uncertainty in New Caledonia
France is threatening to resolve key issues on New Caledonia’s future unilaterally if local parties cannot agree. -
11 Apr 2023
France tightens the screws in New Caledonia
Pro-independence leaders believe time is on their side, but the French government sees little room for compromise. -
25 Jul 2022
The China factor in France’s growing engagement in the “peaceful sea”
A step-up by Paris in the Indo-Pacific is evidence that it aims for a pragmatic third path in the region. -
30 May 2022
Australia can’t stay silent on decolonisation in the Pacific
As Canberra and Paris repair ties, presenting France as a “Pacific country” would undermine regional independence. -
18 May 2022
New Caledonia: Not either/or when it comes to France and China
It’s time that Nouméa makes up its own mind on partners and friends when so many players have an opinion. -
8 Dec 2021
AUKUS debate “influenced France’s attitude towards New Caledonia”
Local leaders – loyalists and independence advocates alike – believe the subs cancelation has coloured the French view. -
18 Jun 2021
New Caledonia’s third independence referendum, and the day after
With the next – and final – ballot set for December, consequences of a Yes or No choice are becoming clear. -
26 May 2021
New Caledonia eyes final vote on independence
France wants to get serious about the future. But its method may prove counterproductive. -
6 Oct 2020
New Caledonia: A vote lost, yet independence advocates claim a win
A closer result in the second of three possible referendums shows the territory’s future is not yet settled. -
31 Aug 2020
The demographic influence in New Caledonia’s next referendum
Ahead of the second independence ballot, shifting demographics and past voting patterns offer insight into the result. -
15 Jul 2020
Another independence referendum looms in New Caledonia
The Covid-19 crisis has been a major controversy, but almost every issue is divided on pro- and anti-independence lines. -
26 May 2020
New Caledonia: coronavirus deepens the divide
An independence leader has accused France of “colonialist” Covid-19 measures in a bid to shore up the loyalist vote. -
16 Oct 2019
New Caledonia decides the timing of its second independence referendum
Loyalists and independence groups are staking out positions, with another two votes now likely. -
26 Sep 2019
The Pacific and a “third option” to the independence question
Bougainville or New Caledonia could chart their own course with “flexible sovereignty” – but that might not be enough. -
17 May 2019
A hardened atmosphere after New Caledonia’s provincial elections
Loyalist parties in the French territory were seriously divided, and it showed. -
8 May 2019
Self-determination in New Caledonia: uncharted waters ahead
Peace plans struck over the past 30 years are coming to an end, marking these elections as a crucial stage. -
8 Nov 2018
New Caledonia’s independence referendum: a reminder of realities
With two more possible referendums, there is still plenty of talk to come about the future of the territory. -
6 Nov 2018
New Caledonia to remain part of France
The referendum left the independence movement eyeing 2020 as the year of emancipation from 165 years of colonisation. -
31 Oct 2018
New Caledonia’s independence referendum explained
<p>How and why this moment has arrived, who can vote, and what will happen next? Here is what you need to know.</p> -
9 Oct 2018
New Caledonia: the independence vote looms
France has offered a measured and balanced explanation of consequences for the decision next month, whether yes or no. -
3 Sep 2018
New Caledonia’s referendum: the delicate dance
<p>Emmanuel Tjibaou, son of an assassinated Kanak independence leader, speaks on New Caledonia’s identity and art.</p> -
30 Aug 2018
New Caledonia: boycotts and blockade
Divisions have marred preparations for the November independence referendum despite effort to seed habits of dialogue. -
10 Jul 2018
New Caledonia: decolonisation in conversation
Locals in New Caledonia share their views about the territory’s prospects ahead of the November ballot on independence. -
5 Jun 2018
New Caledonia: dangerous games
Some local leaders are putting short-term political gain ahead of constructive participation in a referendum process. -
7 May 2018
French choreography in the Pacific
Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Caledonia affirmed the territory as the jewel of French possessions. -
3 Apr 2018
Words that count: New Caledonia’s referendum question
The continued divide in Caledonian society is shown by the very formulation of the question that will help decide the territory’s future. -
9 Mar 2018
Sensitivities flare in New Caledonia
Emmanuel Macron will visit New Caledonia in May, amid increased tension as the territory’s November deadline for an independence referendum nears. -
16 Jan 2018
Worry ahead of New Caledonia’s independence vote
An economy in bad shape compounds painful memories as the French territory struggles with questions of independence. -
8 Dec 2017
New Caledonia: the future takes shape
Momentous discussions are underway to determine the future of Australia's closest eastern neighbour. -
6 Dec 2017
Pacific island links: PNG snapshots, the French PM in New Caledonia, Mini Games and more
Updates on developments across the Pacific. -
8 Nov 2017
Pacific island links: Sogavare out, COP23, Manus and more
Euan Moyle, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Pacific Islands Program, with links on developments across the region. -
1 Nov 2017
Pacific island links: Solomon Islands leadership, NZ and Tokelau, Tsai Ing-wen and more
Euan Moyle, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Pacific Islands Program, with links on developments across the Pacific. -
31 Oct 2017
The two faces crucial to New Caledonia’s final referendum
The conduct of the referendum raises uncertainties and the prospect of a return to instability right on Australia’s doorstep. -
25 Oct 2017
Pacific island links: Manus closure, Evara's death, caretaker mode in New Caledonia and more
Euan Moyle, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Pacific Islands Program, with links on developments across the Pacific. -
20 Jun 2017
French parliamentary vote mainly good news for New Caledonia
Both of the successful candidates referred to the need for unity among all loyalists and for dialogue with independence groups. -
9 May 2017
French Presidential election: Implications for Australia’s closest French neighbour
Given Macron’s lack of experience, French officials who know New Caledonia will need to continue to mediate this final phase of the Noumea Accord. -
28 Apr 2017
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 in New Caledonia. -
3 Feb 2017
New Caledonia: French election calendar stymies progress
New Caledonia can ill afford discussions to stall for nine months when only 22 months remain before the referendum deadline. -
23 Nov 2016
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.