New Caledonia's next referendum on independence from France is set to be held on 4 November.
Congress approved the date with 38 votes to 14.
The New Caledonia congress. Photo: AFP
Those opposed to the referendum timeline were members of anti-independence parties objecting to accompanying statements, saying they were too apologetic.
The exact wording of the referendum question is yet to be decided.
The 1998 Noumea Accord stipulated that a vote would have to be held by this year on whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty.
Voting will be restricted to long-term residents.
In the last independence referendum, in 1987, 98 percent voted to stay with France, but the pro-independence movement had called for a boycott.