French Polynesia's pro-independence opposition leader, Oscar Temaru, says his bid for the French presidency is part of a plan to advance the territory's decolonisation.
French Polynesia leader Oscar Temaru. Photo: RNZI
Mr Temaru, who was president five times, says he will write to the Socialist leaders Francois Hollande, Segolene Royal and Christine Taubira this week to endorse his candidacy.
He says 500 endorsements are needed from elected representatives, who are being approached in France, Corsica and New Caledonia.
Mr Temaru says he wants to win most votes in French Polynesia which he would rate as self-proclaimed independence.
He says through information he hopes to secure enough support to create what he calls the Federated States of Maohi Nui.
French Polynesia was returned to the UN decolonisation list three years ago, but France has dismissed the UN decision as blatant interference.
In 2013, the territorial assembly in Tahiti asked France to organise an independence referendum, but Paris has ignored the resolution.