Pacific / French Polynesia

Call on France to discuss Tahiti decolonisation

11:34 am on 20 May 2015

A pro-independence politician in French Polynesia says the territory is poised for the moment France decides to join negotiations about self-determination.

Richard Tuheiava Photo: AFP

It has been two years since the United Nations put French Polynesia back on the list of territories to be decolonised.

A French Polynesian assembly member, Richard Tuheiava, says before being put on the list, there was no hope for independence.

"There is no signal from the administering power that that they will come to a dialogue that was requested by the original resolution. We're not sure that this game is going to be very sustainable, but we're waiting for the moment that France will come back to the table."

Mr Tuheiava says two years on, the territory has made some progress, as it's able to put petitions before the UN's Special Committee on Decolonisation.

French Polynesia, Papeete waterfront Photo: RNZ