In hiding, a survivor speaks out. Photo: RNZ Lynda Chanwai-Earle
A 42-year-old man is in detention in French Polynesia after fatally assaulting his partner.
The woman, who was of the same age, was reportedly punched in the head and died when they were reportedly drinking late at night at their home on the island of Maupiti.
The news agency AFP said the death was the 59th this year of a woman being attacked by her male partner or ex-partner.
The mayor of Maupiti Woullingson Raufauore said an investigation into the incident was underway.
Her body is to be flown to Papeete for an autopsy.
In January, the French High Commissioner in Tahiti described domestic violence as the territory's number one problem.
Women were three times more likely to be victims of violence than in France.