CoveragePost
March 29, 2026
COMMENTARY: Pacific Media Watch A French senator walked into the Luxembourg Palace, opened his mouth, and basically set the whole room on fire. Politely. In a suit. Claude Malhuret didn’t yell nor wave his arms. He just listed things… calmly, methodically, like a doctor reading a very long and very depressing diagnosis. And by the ... <a title="War on Iran: The French senator who said what everybody was thinking" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/29/war-on-iran-the-french-senator-who-said-what-everybody-was-thinking/" aria-label="Read more about War on Iran: The French senator who said what everybody was thinking">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
June 5, 2024
COMMENTARY: By Jimmy Naouna in Nouméa The unrest that has gripped Kanaky New Caledonia is the direct result of French President Emmanuel Macron’s partisan and stubborn political manoeuvring to derail the process towards self-determination in my homeland. The deadly riots that erupted two weeks ago in the capital, Nouméa, were sparked by an electoral reform ... <a title="Jimmy Naouna: Macron’s handling of Kanaky New Caledonia isn’t working – we need a new way" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/06/05/jimmy-naouna-macrons-handling-of-kanaky-new-caledonia-isnt-working-we-need-a-new-way/" aria-label="Read more about Jimmy Naouna: Macron’s handling of Kanaky New Caledonia isn’t working – we need a new way">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 15, 2024
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s capital was on Saturday flooded by two simultaneous waves of French and Kanaky flags with two rival demonstrations in downtown Nouméa, only two streets away from each other and under heavy security surveillance. The French High Commission in Nouméa provided an official count of ... <a title="New Caledonia: Flags and emotions flying high over proposed changes" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/04/15/new-caledonia-flags-and-emotions-flying-high-over-proposed-changes/" aria-label="Read more about New Caledonia: Flags and emotions flying high over proposed changes">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 10, 2024
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Fresh clashes in New Caledonia have erupted in the suburbs of Nouméa between security forces and pro-independence protesters who oppose a nickel pact offering French assistance to salvage the industry. The clashes, involving firearms, teargas and stone-throwing, went on for most of yesterday, blocking access roads ... <a title="Violent clashes in New Caledonia as tensions rise over nickel pact" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/04/10/violent-clashes-in-new-caledonia-as-tensions-rise-over-nickel-pact/" aria-label="Read more about Violent clashes in New Caledonia as tensions rise over nickel pact">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 4, 2024
ANALYSIS: By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific The French Senate has endorsed a Constitutional review project bearing significant modifications to the local electoral rules for New Caledonia, but with amendments. The text passed on Tuesday with 233 votes in favour and 99 against. It aims at modifying the conditions for French citizens to ... <a title="French Senate endorses new election rules for New Caledonia – but with amendments" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/04/04/french-senate-endorses-new-election-rules-for-new-caledonia-but-with-amendments/" aria-label="Read more about French Senate endorses new election rules for New Caledonia – but with amendments">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 27, 2023
By Nic Maclellan In a major electoral upset, Kanak independence politician Robert Xowie has won one of Kanaky New Caledonia’s two seats in the French Senate in Paris. His second-round electoral victory over Loyalist leader Sonia Backès came on September 24, the 170th anniversary of France’s annexation of its Pacific dependency. Xowie is the Mayor ... <a title="FLNKS mayor wins run-off poll to take unprecedented French Senate seat" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/27/flnks-mayor-wins-run-off-poll-to-take-unprecedented-french-senate-seat/" aria-label="Read more about FLNKS mayor wins run-off poll to take unprecedented French Senate seat">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 23, 2022
RNZ News A New Caledonian anti-independence candidate has withdrawn from the race for a seat in the French National Assembly just hours before nominations closed. Vaea Frogier pulled out, citing concern about the splits in the anti-independence camp. Seventeen candidates in New Caledonia are standing in next month’s election, with the pro-independence parties jointly fielding ... <a title="New Caledonia’s Frogier pulls out of French National Assembly race" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/05/23/new-caledonias-frogier-pulls-out-of-french-national-assembly-race/" aria-label="Read more about New Caledonia’s Frogier pulls out of French National Assembly race">Read more</a>
