Peters urges France to keep ‘open mind’ on new path for New Caledonia

By Russell Palmer, RNZ News political reporter New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters has used a speech in Paris to urge France to keep an open mind about a new path forward for New Caledonia. He also wants to deepen New Zealand’s...

Foreign Minister Winston Peters urges France to keep open mind on New Caledonia

Winston Peters (file photo). Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Foreign Minister Winston Peters has used a speech in Paris to urge the French to keep an open mind about a new path forward for New Caledonia. He also wants to deepen New Zealand's...

Govt changes travel advice level for holiday destination on Australia’s doorstep

Previously, the government advised Aussie travellers to “Reconsider your need to travel” – or level three – for certain parts of the country, but that has now been downgraded. “We’ve reviewed our advice and now advise exercise a high degree of...

US states tendering for 550 MW of energy storage

Utilities in two US states are preparing tenders for 550 MW of energy storage systems. Michigan utility Detroit Ederson (DTE) Energy has announced an RfP for standalone energy storage projects with around 450 MW of capacity to support DTE’s...

Mapping traditional knowledge: a key tool for agriculture in New Caledonia and Wallis & Futuna

FIFA World Cup Qualifier: New Caledonia Triumphs Over Solomon Islands in Port Moresby

New Caledonia is on the brink of advancing to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Oceania Qualifiers after a remarkable comeback victory over Solomon Islands. Playing at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby, New Caledonia’s resilience...

French legislators discuss New Caledonia sovereignty

Gérard Larcher (left) and Yaël Braun-Pivet (centre) meet New Caledonia President Louis Mapou (right) on Monday 11 November. Photo: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie Facebook Analysis - The presidents of France's Upper and Lower Houses of...

'Unacceptable': French minister slams Aliyev’s remarks on New Caledonia, skips COP29 in Azerbaijan

A day after Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev accused France of “crimes” and “human rights violations” in overseas territories including New Caledonia, French Environment Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher termed Aliyev’s remarks as “unacceptable”...

New Caledonian local consortium makes offer for moth-balled Koniambo nickel plant

Koniambo nickel operation. Photo: Image courtesy of Glencore A local consortium in New Caledonia is reported to have made an eleventh-hour offer to take over and restart activity for the now moth-balled Koniambo (KNS) nickel plant. The plant's...

France shuns Cop29 over Azeri comments on New Caledonia, col...

France's Environment Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher will stay away from the Cop29 global climate change conference in Baku after 'unacceptable' attacks by Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev. France will stay away from the climate talks taking...

New Caledonia crisis: Unrest-hit Air Calédonie in search of new markets

By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s domestic carrier Air Calédonie is set to launch a biweekly international connection to neighbouring Vanuatu. The new link is set to start operating from October 3...

TVA requests proposals for Kingston energy complex

The Tennessee Valley Authority is calling on the nation’s premier Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) developers to submit proposals for a 100-megawatt BESS system at the utility’s Kingston Energy Complex under construction in Roane County. Once...

US Allies in Europe Project Aircraft Carrier Power Near China

European NATO members have projected naval power into the Indo-Pacific through aircraft carrier deployments in recent years, as China—a European Union trading partner and U.S. rival—undergoes a military buildup, challenging Washington and its...

TVA Requests Proposals For Battery Storage At Kingston Energy Complex

The Tennessee Valley Authority is calling on the nation’s premier Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) developers to submit proposals for a 100-megawatt BESS system at the utility’s Kingston Energy Complex under construction in Roane County,...

What is the outcome of Pacific Islands Forum leaders fact-finding mission to New Caledonia?

PIF troika plus Leaders on Monda, 28 October with Southern Province President Sonia Backès at SPC headquarters Photo: PIF A high-level team of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders completed a fact-finding mission this week to assess the situation...

An all-male Pacific peace mission to New Caledonia excludes women’s voices in the crisis

Since early August, the Pacific Islands Forum has sought permission to send a leader’s delegation to New Caledonia to “address the ongoing tensions” that have shaken the territory since May this year. After repeated delays, the PIF visit commenced...

Forum troika’s visit highlights value of regionalism for New Caledonia

PIF troika plus Leaders on Monda, 28 October with Southern Province President Sonia Backès at SPC headquarters Photo: PIF Analysis - As a three-day fact-finding mission from a group of Pacific leaders draws to a close in New Caledonia, and with...

New Caledonia pragmatism pips nationalism

With the sole exception of the fifty people on Pitcairn Island, the United Kingdom (once known as the British Empire) liquidated its holdings in the Pacific Ocean long ago. France, by contrast, has a half million citizens in the Pacific (and...

Pacific leaders’ troika begins New Caledonia fact-finding mission

Pacific Islands Forum troika delegation visits New Caledonia’s Congress President Veylma Falaéo as part of fact-finding mission. Photo: RRB The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders' troika, along with the Fiji's prime minister, touched down in New...

New Caledonia: Pragmatism 3, Nationalism 0

This gives rise to much performative outrage in post-colonial countries that need grievances to bring pressure on the world’s richest countries. That’s only fair: the post-colonial countries are mostly poor, whereas the old imperial powers are...