Drugs seized at Tahiti-Faa's International Airport Photo: French Customs
Ice trafficking network dismantled
An international ice (crystal methamphetamine) traffic network with ramifications in the United States has been dismantled in French Polynesia.
This follows yet another catch by French customs of a significant batch of methamphetamines at the Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport, French Polynesia's public prosecution office said.
The drugs were shipped from the US.
In February, another 1.4kg shipment concealed in a container was seized aboard a cargo ship coming from America.
As part of an ongoing investigation, at least seven individuals, all believed to be part of the same network and residing in French Polynesia, have later been arrested and are facing charges of international drug trafficking.
New French patrol vessel
A new French patrol vessel, "Teriieroo a Teriierooiterai", has left the French port of Brest and is now en route to Papeete, where it will be based.
Scheduled to arrive in Papeete by the end of May, she is one of the two new generation "Overseas patrol vessels" to be based in French Polynesia, which is also the regional Pacific base for the French Navy.
The Teriieroo a Teriierooiterai patrol vessel leaves the port of Brest on 16 March 2024 Photo: French Defence Ministry
Study launched on medicinal plants
A scientific study has been launched on French Polynesia's medicinal plants that have been used for centuries by traditional healers.
The study results from an agreement signed between French Polynesia's scientific Institut Louis Malardé (ILM) and a group of traditional healers.
A sample of 26 species will now be grown at the Institute and will be later analysed to formally identify their active principles and specific properties, ILM Director Maire Sabre told local media.
It is planned that the outcomes of the study will contribute to a better understanding of French Polynesia's medicinal biodiversity.
Surfing judges' tower construction
French Polynesia's judges' tower construction ahead of the 2024 Olympics surfing event is almost complete.
The aluminium tower's construction has been a sensitive issue over the past few months, with local associations protesting against the risk of irremediable environmental damage to the coral reef.
In the face of the controversy, local authorities as well as the Paris 2024 Olympics organising committee had to revise their initial plans and construct a leaner and lighter tower.
The 2024 Olympics surfing event will be hosted in late July at the iconic site of Teahupoo, on French Polynesia's main island of Tahiti.
Before that, the tower will be put to a real-life test during Teahupoo's annual World Surfing League competition in mid-May.
Residents and investors have also engaged in significant investments in terms of renovation for local hotels and "family pensions" at privately owned guesthouses in order to host the biggest influx of visitors in history.
The judges' tower at Teahupoo almost complete mid-March 2024 Photo: Polynésie la Première
New Caledonia's iconic Tjibaou centre needs renovation
New Caledonia's iconic Tjibaou centre near Nouméa is in dire need of renovation and works have already started on the well-recognizable towers of the edifice.
Designed by world-known Italian architect Renzo Piano, the building is made of a mix of wood and steel, with a clear homage to New Caledonia's Kanak traditional culture and heritage.
But over the years, it has suffered from the nearby sea which affects both wood and steel.
The Tjibaou cultural centre was officially opened in 1998, to coincide with the signing of the autonomy loaded Nouméa Accord for New Caledonia.
It has since become a landmark of Nouméa's landscape.
Works have already started to re-treat the wood panels and steel components for an estimated cost of around one million US dollars to be borne by both New Caledonia's government and France's Ministry of Culture.
New Caledonia's Centre Culturel Tjibaou Photo: Sud Tourisme Nouvelle-Calédonie