A leading French Polynesian historian says he plans to take a defamation case against the president, Gaston Flosse, after his comments on public television.
Jean-Marc Regnault has taken exception to claims that he was on the payroll of the previous government led by Oscar Temaru.
In a statement, Mr Regnault says he had a brief contract from the territorial assembly after it unanimously endorsed him to research the controversial case of the late pro-independence leader Pouvanaa a Oopa who was exiled to France in 1958.
He also says his new book about relations with the United Nations is being criticised by those who haven't read it.
The UN reinscribed French Polynesia on the UN decolonisation list in May which has angered Mr Flosse's party and prompted calls for France to hold an immediate self-determination vote.