There is uncertainty over who will succeed the late Bruno Barrillot as the head of COSCEN which is French Polynesia's body looking at the aftermath of France's nuclear weapons tests.
Bruno Barrillot Photo: Tahiti-Infos
The president Edouard Fritch said the succession had been sorted although reports say there is opposition to the nominee Yolande Vernaudon.
Tahiti's Radio1 quoted the head of the test veterans organisation Roland Oldham as saying she lacked experience.
Another member of COSCEN Patrick Galenon was quoted as saying the government's choice amounts to a betrayal of the memory of Mr Barrillot.
Ms Vernaudon declined to comment.