CoveragePost
March 25, 2026
OBITUARY: By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Political leaders and institutions have paid tributes for Lionel Jospin, the “father” of the 1998 Nouméa Accord, who died at the weekend aged 88. Jospin was a socialist prime minister who played a significant role in supervising the signature of the 1998 Accord, which paved ... <a title="Tributes pour in for Lionel Jospin, ‘father’ of the Nouméa Accord" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/25/tributes-pour-in-for-lionel-jospin-father-of-the-noumea-accord/" aria-label="Read more about Tributes pour in for Lionel Jospin, ‘father’ of the Nouméa Accord">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 26, 2026
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French Senators have endorsed a Constitutional amendment text regarding New Caledonia’s future political status. Two-hundred and fifteen senators (mostly an alliance between right and centre-right parties) voted in favour, and 41 voted against. The four-hour sitting was marked by a lengthy address by French Prime Minister ... <a title="French Senate vote endorses New Caledonia’s future status" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/26/french-senate-vote-endorses-new-caledonias-future-status/" aria-label="Read more about French Senate vote endorses New Caledonia’s future status">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 22, 2026
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk The signing of a new agreement on New Caledonia’s political and financial future has triggered a fresh wave of reactions from across the French territory’s political chessboard. The Elysée-Oudinot agreement was signed on Monday, January 19, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron as well ... <a title="Pro-independence FLNKS ‘unequivocally’ reject latest agreement for New Caledonia" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/22/pro-independence-flnks-unequivocally-reject-latest-agreement-for-new-caledonia/" aria-label="Read more about Pro-independence FLNKS ‘unequivocally’ reject latest agreement for New Caledonia">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 19, 2026
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Talks on New Caledonia’s political future have been underway in Paris after French President Emmanuel Macron launched a fresh roundtable on Friday, despite the absence of one of the French territory’s largest pro-independence group, the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS). During a first meeting ... <a title="Pro-France MPs confront Macron over New Caledonia at future talks" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/19/pro-france-mps-confront-macron-over-new-caledonia-at-future-talks/" aria-label="Read more about Pro-France MPs confront Macron over New Caledonia at future talks">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 16, 2026
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) has put in a late request to join talks on the territory’s future remotely. The meeting, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, is calling all politicians from the French Pacific territory back to the negotiating table. ... <a title="FLNKS sends in late request to join Paris talks on New Caledonia remotely" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/16/flnks-sends-in-late-request-to-join-paris-talks-on-new-caledonia-remotely/" aria-label="Read more about FLNKS sends in late request to join Paris talks on New Caledonia remotely">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 14, 2026
The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), one of the main components in New Caledonia’s pro-independence Kanak movement, has confirmed it will not take part in a new round of talks in Paris this week called by French President Emmanuel Macron. In mid-December 2025, Macron invited New Caledonia’s politicians back to the negotiating table ... <a title="FLNKS boycotts Macron-convened Paris talks over future this week" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/14/flnks-boycotts-macron-convened-paris-talks-over-future-this-week/" aria-label="Read more about FLNKS boycotts Macron-convened Paris talks over future this week">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
November 19, 2025
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French minister for overseas Naïma Moutchou left New Caledonia at the weekend after a 5-day stay, with an announcement regarding a re-scheduled referendum-like consultation on a project for the French Pacific territory’s political future — but few pledges regarding further French commitment to tackle a dire ... <a title="Minister Moutchou ends New Caledonia visit – political announcements, no new financial pledge" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/11/19/minister-moutchou-ends-new-caledonia-visit-political-announcements-no-new-financial-pledge/" aria-label="Read more about Minister Moutchou ends New Caledonia visit – political announcements, no new financial pledge">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
October 30, 2025
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French MPs narrowly endorsed the postponement of New Caledonia’s provincial elections to no later than 28 June 2026 in a crucial vote in Paris this week. It comes as newly appointed Overseas Minister Naïma Moutchou prepares to visit the French Pacific territory for more talks on ... <a title="French MPs vote to postpone New Caledonia’s elections to June 2026" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/10/30/french-mps-vote-to-postpone-new-caledonias-elections-to-june-2026/" aria-label="Read more about French MPs vote to postpone New Caledonia’s elections to June 2026">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
October 24, 2025
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French national politics have once again cast a shadow on New Caledonia’s issues even though the French Pacific territory is facing a pressing schedule. Debates in the French National Assembly on a New Caledonia-related Bill were once again heated and rocky yesterday, resulting in further delays. ... <a title="French MPs clash over New Caledonia policy, debates further postponed" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/10/24/french-mps-clash-over-new-caledonia-policy-debates-further-postponed/" aria-label="Read more about French MPs clash over New Caledonia policy, debates further postponed">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
October 14, 2025
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk As part of a never-ending rollercoaster of instability in French politics, the latest appointment of a Minister for Overseas has caused significant concern, including in New Caledonia. In the late hours of Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron approved the latest Cabinet lineup submitted to him by ... <a title="New minister in ‘rollercoaster’ French politics causes concern in New Caledonia" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/10/14/new-minister-in-rollercoaster-french-politics-causes-concern-in-new-caledonia/" aria-label="Read more about New minister in ‘rollercoaster’ French politics causes concern in New Caledonia">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 28, 2025
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific Correspondent French Pacific desk French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls has ended an extended seven-day visit to New Caledonia with mixed feelings. On one hand, he said he was confident his “Bougival deal” for New Caledonia’s future is now “more advanced” after three sittings of a “drafting committee” made up ... <a title="French Overseas Minister pushes ahead with Bougival deal despite FLNKS snub" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/28/french-overseas-minister-pushes-ahead-with-bougival-deal-despite-flnks-snub/" aria-label="Read more about French Overseas Minister pushes ahead with Bougival deal despite FLNKS snub">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 24, 2025
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A newly established “drafting committee” held its inaugural meeting in Nouméa this week, aiming to translate the Bougival agreement — signed by New Caledonian political parties in Paris last month — into a legal and constitutional form. However, the first sitting of the committee on Thursday ... <a title="FLNKS snubs Nouméa constitutional reform talks for New Caledonia" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/24/flnks-snubs-noumea-constitutional-reform-talks-for-new-caledonia/" aria-label="Read more about FLNKS snubs Nouméa constitutional reform talks for New Caledonia">Read more</a>
