New Caledonia

As French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government has fallen to a motion of no confidence just three months after coming to office, New Caledonia is among the major victims.

The New Zealand Foreign Minister's schedule will include meetings with "a wide range of government, political, business and civil society leaders" from 3 to 5 December.

French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said even though there remained some "sensitive areas", New Caledonia was on the path to experiencing a "return to normal".

This followed an earlier ruling on 22 October 2024 from the Court of Cassation, which is tasked to rule on possible procedural mistakes in earlier judgements.

New Caledonia's largest pro-independence party unveiled the main outcome of its Congress last weekend, including its plans for the French Pacific territory's political future.

Small and medium business federation president Nicole Moreau says the crisis following the May 2024 riots was not only human and economic, but also social.

President Jacques Lalié has been disqualified to contest the next provincial elections after he was found guilty of "favouritism" on Tuesday.

Tjibaou, the son of the assassinated pro-independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, is also one of the two New Caledonian representatives in the French legislature.

New Caledonia's chiefly community is mourning the death of Great Chief William Boarat, from the district of Koumac (far north-eastern tip of the main island of New Caledonia).

Within the pro-independence camp, the two main moderate parties UPM and PALIKA have reacted favourably, although they have recently distanced themselves from UC.

Tjibaou's election on Sunday comes as UC's former leader, Daniel Goa, 71, announced last week he did not intend to seek another mandate.

There's been a flurry of news conferences from several pro-independence parties, all clarifying their respective stance and relationship with the FLNKS. Audio

New Caledonia's Progressist Union in Melanesia (UPM), one of the historic founding members of FLNKS, has announced its official withdrawal from the pro-independence umbrella. Audio

The French National Assembly and Senate presidents, Yaël Braun-Pivet and Gérard Larcher, met and held talks with a wide range of stakeholders. Audio

Analysis - The chairs of both French Parliament's upper and lower Houses arrived in New Caledonia on Sunday night for a crucial three-day visit.