The French president Emmanuel Macron says his first visit to New Caledonia is above all dedicated to important moments of a common history.
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Mr Macron arrived from Australia yesterday for a three-day visit which comes six months before New Caledonians vote in a referendum on whether they want the territory to become fully independent.
He says he won't take a position on how he would like people to vote but last year when he was trailing in the presidential race against his run-off rival Marine Le Pen, he said he didn't want a rupture in the common history.
Mr Macron has confirmed that he will go to Ouvea despite claims by some Kanaks that visiting the grave of those killed during the 1988 hostage crisis would be a provocation.
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Today, he is due to visit the northern province while pro-French demonstrators plan a rally in Noumea to express their pride in being French.
On the eve of his arrival, two opinion polls were released suggesting an overwhelming majority is opposed to independence.