French Health Reserve staff to be deployed in New Caledonia. Photo: Supplied
French emergency health unit deployed
France is deploying an emergency health contingent to New Caledonia, where departures of medical staff caused by the unrest have severely crippled the French territory's health system.
The first batch of professionals includes two emergency specialists, four general practitioners, three oncologists and two pedo-psychiatrists, the French High Commission announced late last week via social networks.
They are being dispatched to the main hospital in the main island's south (Médipôle) and in the northern medical centres.
The "health reserve" system is usually resorted to in time of medical emergencies, and was recently mobilised during the Covid pandemic to back up existing staff. In New Caledonia, in late 2021, this involved the deployment of a team of up to 100 medical specialists.
Meanwhile, New Caledonia's nurses association vice-president François Delboy also warned they were facing a similar exodus situation.
She said about one half of the nurses were now planning to leave, not only because of the current unrest, but also because of frequent "assaults" they had to deal with as part of their service.
Delboy told local media those assaults (including verbal abuse, physical attacks or thefts) had significantly increased since New Caledonia's ongoing unrest began, over four months ago.
Winston Peters speaks at the Le Maota o Samoa in Mangere. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Winston Peters to travel to French Polynesia
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters is scheduled to visit French Polynesia on the way back from a trip to New York next week to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In New York, Peters said he will stress "New Zealand's strong support for the rules-based international order and the need for collective solutions to global challenges" with a backdrop of "the myriad of regional and global crises".
He will then return to New Zealand via French Polynesia, where he will meet President Moetai Brotherson as well as representatives of the French government.
"New Zealand and French Polynesia share a deep relationship founded on cultural connections and mutual respect - and we are looking to do more together, including economically," Peters said.
"France is an important partner for New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific, and we have a shared interest in a stable and prosperous Pacific Islands region."
Peters will return to New Zealand on 1 October.
Flosse: France shouldn't wait to talk to French Polynesia
French Polynesia's former president and veteran politician Gaston Flosse has called on the French government to start talks with the French Pacific territory about a possible upgraded new status.
He made the call last week as French Polynesia was marking the 40th anniversary of its "internal autonomy" status, introduced in September 1984.
The 1984 status introduced a flag, an anthem, a president, a local assembly and a local government for French Polynesia.
It also gave local control of some portfolios such as health, economy and education to local authorities.
But justice, defence, currency, security and foreign affairs remain with France.
But 40 years later, Flosse said the 1984 internal status was updated three times (in 1990, 1996 and 2004) and has now "reached its limits".
"So what now?...We must go forward and I believe France shouldn't wait until we face the same problems as New Caledonia," he told Tahiti Nui Television.
"France has to talk with French Polynesia to reach some agreement (for a new status). I think the right status for us is a sovereign country in free association with France."
93-year-old Flosse said he rejects the full independence option which, in his view, is "not tenable, not liveable", mainly for financial reasons.
France’s new Suva-based ambassador Julie Le Saos poses with Fiji President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. Photo: Fiji Government
Two new French ambassadors
Two new French ambassadors have been appointed in the Pacific region: one in Suva, Fiji and another in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
In Fiji, recently-arrived Julie Le Saos presented her letters of credentials to Fiji President H.E. Ratu Wiliame Katonivere at the State House in Suva earlier this week.
Saying Fiji was "an important partner for France", she stressed the two countries shared "the same willingness to contribute positively to a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Pacific region and to a sustainable future of our planet".
She is also accredited from Suva, to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga and Tuvalu.
Her previous postings include Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of France in Australia (2020 - August 2024).
She replaces François-Xavier Leger, who held the Suva-based position for the past three years.
Another diplomat was appointed on 29 August by Paris, to replace outgoing Guillaume Lemoine.
Based in Port Moresby, he is Pierre Fournier, who very recently was the Ambassador of France in Vanuatu (October 2019-November 2022).
Students reminded of 'decent' dress code
As French Polynesia entered a new academic year earlier this month, Papeete's Lycée Paul Gauguin students have been reminded to maintain a "decent" dress code.
Even though uniforms are not the rule, the high school recently voted on a set of recommendations with a strong emphasis on what is appropriate or not in terms of clothing.
The rules were endorsed by a vote at the June 2024 school council, made up of students and parents representatives and teachers.
"These are a few rules to avoid excesses", headmaster Jean-Pascal Vins told public broadcaster Polynésie la 1ère. The rules stipulate that anyone deemed to wear "any immodest attire" will face a reminder and, in case of reiteration, a disciplinary sanction.
But Lycée Gauguin said it's not about just girls: sometimes boys are seen walking around bare-chested. "It may be OK during the physical education class, but not in other classes", the Lycée's administration said.
Many students, however, said they believe the new rules will not be respected in the 1600-student high school.
One female student told Polynésie la 1ère: "It won't make a difference. Everyone here wears short skirts and crop-tops...Nobody really cares about these new rules."
Rugby and football administration buildings set on fire on Saturday 14 September in Dumbéa, New Caledonia. Photo: RRB
New Caledonia's rugby union facilities destroyed by fire
New Caledonia's Union Rugby Club (URC) facilities, on the outskirts of Nouméa, have been targeted by arson for the second time since riots broke out in May.
The fire broke out on Saturday night last week.
It partly destroyed the URC's main office and administration, as well as sports equipment stored inside, URC's President Frédéric Hervouët told local media.
Parts of the neighbouring football club also went up in flames.
"I don't know what they're trying to achieve," he said.
"No political ideology can justify targeting children, who have already suffered."
The URC was already targeted by arson in May, a few days after riots, arson and looting broke out in New Caledonia. The club then started to rebuild their facilities with the help of volunteers who sometimes paid out of their own pocket to contribute to purchasing new equipment.
"I think what they're attacking is those volunteers who are working, through sports, to build a society of living together," he added.
Olympic surfing gold medallist Kauli Vaast made a Knight in the Legion of Honour. Photo: France Televisions
Olympics surf gold medallist Kauli Vaast made a Knight in the Legion of Honour
Olympic surfing gold medallist Kauli Vaast was made a Knight in the Legion of Honour during an official ceremony last week to mark the end of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The award is traditionally bestowed upon all French medallists, either in the Legion of Honour or in the National Order of Merit.
French Polynesia's Vaast was competing on the iconic site of Teahupo'o, in Tahiti, where the Olympic surf events took place late July.
He is the first French Polynesian athlete to ever win an Olympic gold medal.
Shelby Hunter elected Miss T Tahiti on 8 September. Photo: TNTV
French Polynesia elects new Miss Trans Tahiti
French Polynesia has a new "Miss T Tahiti" (T for trans).
Shelby Hunter was elected at the yearly pageant which took place in Papeete's Town Hall last week.
An emotional Hunter told Tahiti Nui TV as the new Miss T Tahiti, she very much hoped to contribute towards a better local and international recognition of the LGBTQ+ cause.
"I hope people's mentalities can evolve. I think they do, over time", she said, stressing the importance of "love and respect".
Hunter takes over O'omaka Gendron who held the title of Miss T Tahiti over the past 12 months.