Pacific / New Caledonia

Indonesian presence in New Caledonia celebrated

15:12 pm on 6 September 2016

The Indonesian community in New Caledonia has celebrated the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first settlers from Java.

New Caledonia's capital Noumea. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades

The cultural festivities near Noumea were attended by Indonesia's Sultan Hamengku Buwono X who also met the French High Commissioner.

The Javanese arrived in 1896 in large numbers to work in the French colony and several thousand stayed behind.

Today, they are a recognised and established minority.