The leader of French Polynesia's largest party says the territory should develop its autonomy and become a country associated with France.
Gaston Flosse made the suggestion in a broad-ranging address on the Tahoeraa Huiraatira website targeting its supporters.
Gaston Flosse Photo: RNZ
Flosse, who last year lost office because of a corruption conviction, says the role and powers of the French state as well as those of French Polynesia should be clarified.
He says the future status for what he calls Tahiti Nui should be determined by a referendum put to the French Polynesian people and then put to the territorial assembly as well as French Parliament.
Flosse says once the new statute is ready, his party will ask for the French constitution to be amended to ensure the change is safeguarded.
In his address, Flosse says pretexts have been used to keep him away from an assembly office where he has been working since his conviction.
Last month, he was charged with taking china and cutlery from the presidential palace - a charge he denies.