The heads of seven Polynesian parliaments have set up a formal group at the behest of the president of French Polynesia's territorial assembly, Jacqui Drollet.
The inaugural gathering in Tahiti is being attended by the Cook Islands, Niue, Wallis and Futuna, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island.
Tokelau and Samoa are not represented.
Tea Hirshon of the ruling pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira Party says Mr Drollet's initiative wanted to form a body that only includes Polynesians.
"It's just to strengthen the ties we Polynesians of the moana a kiwa have. It's just to strengthen the ties and exchange information about our respective parliaments and how they are run."
Tea Hirshon.