CoveragePost
May 9, 2026
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Vanuatu’s government has urged the French ambassador in Port Vila to use established diplomatic channels rather than social media to communicate his concerns about state-to-state relations. It is the latest development in a diplomatic spat that emerged this week when New Caledonia’s territorial government took umbrage at Vanuatu ... <a title="French ambassador’s social media diplomacy lands poorly in Vanuatu" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/09/french-ambassadors-social-media-diplomacy-lands-poorly-in-vanuatu/" aria-label="Read more about French ambassador’s social media diplomacy lands poorly in Vanuatu">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 8, 2026
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s crucial provincial elections will be held next month on Sunday, June 28, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced. Lecornu’s announcement was widely relayed by New Caledonian politicians who have just participated in a video conference meeting yesterday. The announcement also came with a ... <a title="New Caledonia provincial elections set for June but voter roll changes face criticism" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/08/new-caledonia-provincial-elections-set-for-june-but-voter-roll-changes-face-criticism/" aria-label="Read more about New Caledonia provincial elections set for June but voter roll changes face criticism">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 7, 2026
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s government says it has suspended all trade cooperation with Vanuatu after the Vanuatu government hosted the pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) in Port Vila. Vanuatu is hosting a series of talks under the theme “VOICE 2030” (Vanuatu Opportunities for Investment and ... <a title="New Caledonia suspends trade cooperation with Vanuatu in row over FLNKS meeting" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/07/new-caledonia-suspends-trade-cooperation-with-vanuatu-in-row-over-flnks-meeting/" aria-label="Read more about New Caledonia suspends trade cooperation with Vanuatu in row over FLNKS meeting">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 22, 2026
Updated research has shown up lingering headaches over the impacts of decades-long nuclear testing in the Pacific islands and interventions of outside powers, amid growing threats from climate change, writes Dr Lee Duffield. REVIEW: By Lee Duffield The journalist, professor and peace activist Dr David Robie, was one of a media party on the ill-fated ... <a title="Nuclear – now climate change: New book on how great powers have plagued the Pacific" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/22/nuclear-now-climate-change-new-book-on-how-great-powers-have-plagued-the-pacific/" aria-label="Read more about Nuclear – now climate change: New book on how great powers have plagued the Pacific">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 17, 2025
ANALYSIS: By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent The recent series of high-level agreements between Papua New Guinea and France marks a significant development in PNG’s geopolitical relationships, driven by what appears to be a convergence of national interests. The “deepening relationship” is less about a single personality and more about a calculated alignment of ... <a title="Decoding PNG leader Marape’s talks with French President Macron" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/17/decoding-png-leader-marapes-talks-with-french-president-macron/" aria-label="Read more about Decoding PNG leader Marape’s talks with French President Macron">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 14, 2025
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A leaked “working paper” on New Caledonia’s future political status is causing concern on the local stage and has prompted a “clarification” from the French government’s Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls. Details of the document, which was supposed to remain confidential, have been widely circulated online ... <a title="Leaked ‘working paper’ on New Caledonia’s political future sparks new concerns" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/04/14/leaked-working-paper-on-new-caledonias-political-future-sparks-new-concerns/" aria-label="Read more about Leaked ‘working paper’ on New Caledonia’s political future sparks new concerns">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 21, 2025
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk As French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls lands in New Caledonia tomorrow to pursue talks on its political future, the situation on the ground has again gained tension over the past few days. The local political spectrum is deeply divided between the two main opposing camps, ... <a title="France’s Minister Valls faces tough talks in New Caledonia over future" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/21/frances-minister-valls-faces-tough-talks-in-new-caledonia-over-future/" aria-label="Read more about France’s Minister Valls faces tough talks in New Caledonia over future">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
December 2, 2024
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Pro-independence Kanak leader Christian Téin will remain in a mainland French jail for the time being, a Court of Appeal has ruled in Nouméa. This followed an earlier ruling on October 22 from the Court of Cassation, which is tasked to rule on possible procedural mistakes ... <a title="Kanak pro-independence leader Christian Téin to remain in mainland French jail" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/02/kanak-pro-independence-leader-christian-tein-to-remain-in-mainland-french-jail/" aria-label="Read more about Kanak pro-independence leader Christian Téin to remain in mainland French jail">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
November 7, 2024
By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson of Te Ao Māori News Over 30 years the French government tested 193 nuclear weapons in Māohi Nui and today Indigenous peoples still suffer the impacts through intergenerational cancers. In 1975, France stopped atmospheric tests and moved to underground testing. Hinamoeura Morgant-Cross was eight years old when the French nuclear tests ... <a title="Māohi Nui campaigner tackles French nuclear test legacy – cancer and limited compensation" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/11/07/maohi-nui-campaigner-tackles-french-nuclear-test-legacy-cancer-and-limited-compensation/" aria-label="Read more about Māohi Nui campaigner tackles French nuclear test legacy – cancer and limited compensation">Read more</a>
