AGP Executive Report

Kanak Self-Determination: At a UN decolonisation hearing on New Caledonia, petitioner Roland Arnold urged Kanak people to freely determine their future and raised West Papua’s status. Indonesia protested his remarks and sought to have them removed from the record. Nouméa Debate: France’s foreign minister criticised an Azerbaijani group holding conferences in Nouméa, accusing it of stirring revolt in overseas territories; the group says it supports anti-colonial struggles and Indigenous rights. Women’s Leadership: A new Melanesian women’s programme launching in Auckland aims to build connections and confidence through mentoring, education, wellbeing and climate leadership. Nature Under Pressure: New Caledonia’s rusa deer population, descended from 12 animals brought from Java in 1870, is estimated at up to 370,000 and threatens native plants in the biodiversity-rich archipelago. Travel Spotlight: New Caledonia has been named among Lonely Planet’s top places to visit in 2027.

Decolonisation Debate: France’s foreign minister criticised an Azerbaijani group holding anti-colonial conferences in Nouméa, warning that outside actors could polarise public debate. Separately, an opinion piece says Paris is resisting UN involvement in discussions over French Polynesia’s future. Melanesian Women: A new programme launching in Auckland aims to connect women and girls across the Pacific and diaspora through mentoring, education, wellbeing and climate leadership. Travel and Culture: New Caledonia features on Lonely Planet’s list of places to visit in 2027. Meanwhile, cruise passengers are being urged to respect local customs, including dressing appropriately when visiting Lifou. Island Ecology: A story traces New Caledonia’s rusa deer population to 12 animals brought from Java in 1870; their descendants now pose a major threat to native plants.

Decolonisation Debate: French Polynesia’s President Moetai Brotherson is calling for public education on political options, a UN visiting mission and an agreed path to a referendum. Paris opposes UN involvement in deciding the territory’s future, keeping the dispute over self-determination in the spotlight across the region. Pacific Climate: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate funding approvals in 2025, including support for climate resilience in tuna-dependent communities and health services in Micronesia. Women’s Leadership: A new programme for Melanesian women and girls will focus on connection, mentoring and leadership, launching at Auckland’s Melanesian Festival on 31 October. Travel and Culture: New Caledonia features on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list. As cruise season approaches, visitors to Lifou are also being urged to respect local customs and dress appropriately in towns. Land and Heritage: Rusa deer introduced from Java in 1870 have multiplied to an estimated 250,000–370,000, threatening native plants in New Caledonia’s biodiversity-rich landscapes. UN Hearing: Indonesia protested after a speaker at a UN hearing on New Caledonia raised West Papua’s decolonisation status.

Pacific Women: A new Melanesian women’s programme will foster connection, mentorship and leadership, with a focus on wellbeing, education and climate action. Climate Action: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate funding approvals, including support for tuna-dependent communities and climate-related health resilience. Travel: New Caledonia features on Lonely Planet’s 2027 best-places list, bringing fresh attention to the archipelago’s distinctive landscapes and culture. Kanak Self-Determination: At a UN hearing on New Caledonia, a petitioner backed Kanak people’s right to decide their political future; Indonesia protested after he also raised West Papua. Nature: A study warns that rusa deer—descendants of 12 animals brought to New Caledonia in 1870—now number up to 370,000 and threaten the islands’ exceptional native plant life. Respectful Visits: Cruise passengers are again debating dress codes in South Pacific ports, including Lifou, and the importance of respecting local customs.

Melanesian Women: A new programme launching in Auckland on 31 October aims to connect women and girls across the Pacific and diaspora, sharing existing knowledge and building confidence, mentorship and leadership. Travel Spotlight: New Caledonia has made Lonely Planet’s 2027 list of 50 places to visit, drawing fresh attention to the archipelago’s culture and landscapes. Kanak Self-Determination: Pacific representatives at the UN renewed calls for a visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing ongoing political uncertainty and hardship in Kanak communities. Regional Voices: Indonesia protested after a speaker at a UN hearing on New Caledonia raised West Papua’s decolonisation status. Respectful Tourism: Cruise passengers are again urging visitors to cover up in South Pacific towns, including Lifou, and respect local customs. Biodiversity: Rusa deer introduced to New Caledonia in 1870 have multiplied to an estimated 250,000–370,000, threatening the islands’ native plants.

Pacific Travel: New Caledonia is among Lonely Planet’s 50 recommended destinations for 2027. A travel guide also highlights easy links from Australia to the islands, including New Caledonia. Respectful Tourism: Cruise passengers are urged to cover up when visiting South Pacific communities, including Lifou, and respect local customs. Wildlife and Nature: Rusa deer introduced from Java in 1870 have spread across Grande Terre; estimates put their numbers at 250,000 to 370,000, raising concerns about pressure on the territory’s exceptionally rich native plant life. Kanak Self-Determination: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing ongoing political uncertainty and hardship, particularly for Kanak communities.

Pacific Travel: New Caledonia’s reefs are part of a growing Australia–Pacific diving itinerary, with short flights from Brisbane and Cairns linking travellers to the islands. 2027 Spotlight: Lonely Planet has named New Caledonia among its best places to visit next year, bringing fresh attention to its landscapes and cultural mix. Respecting Local Customs: Cruise passengers are urging visitors to dress appropriately in South Pacific communities, including Lifou, and show respect for local traditions. Kanak Self-Determination: Pacific representatives have renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and hardship since the 2024 unrest. Wildlife and Heritage: Researchers warn that rusa deer—descendants of just 12 animals brought from Java in 1870—threaten New Caledonia’s native plants, many of which are found nowhere else.

Pacific Travel: New Caledonia features among Lonely Planet’s 50 must-visit destinations for 2027, while a new travel guide highlights easy links from Australia to the territory’s diving spots. Kanak Self-Determination: Pacific representatives at the UN are urging a visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing ongoing political uncertainty and social and economic pressures, particularly for Kanak communities. Respectful Tourism: South Pacific cruise passengers are being reminded to dress respectfully ashore and observe local customs, including in Lifou. Wildlife and Heritage: A herd of rusa deer introduced to New Caledonia in 1870 has grown to an estimated 250,000–370,000, threatening native plants in one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots.

Travel Spotlight: New Caledonia has made Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list, putting its landscapes and culture before a global audience. Nature: The island’s rusa deer population, descended from just 12 animals brought from Java in 1870, is now estimated at up to 370,000 and threatens native plants, many found nowhere else. Respectful Tourism: Cruise passengers are being urged to dress appropriately in South Pacific ports such as Lifou and respect local customs. Self-Determination: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and hardship facing Kanak communities. At a UN hearing, a petitioner linked Kanak self-determination with West Papua, prompting Indonesia to demand the remarks be removed from the record.

Travel Spotlight: New Caledonia has made Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list, bringing fresh attention to its landscapes and island culture. Wildlife and Heritage: Rusa deer descended from just 12 animals brought from Java in 1870; their estimated population of up to 370,000 threatens native plants, many found nowhere else. Decolonisation: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and hardship since the 2024 unrest. At a UN hearing, a petitioner linked Kanak self-determination with West Papua, drawing a formal protest from Indonesia. Regional Tensions: Vanuatu condemned a New Caledonian lawmaker’s mocking remarks over competing claims to Matthew and Hunter islands as racist and neo-colonial. Respectful Tourism: Cruise visitors to Lifou are again being urged to respect local customs, including expectations around swimwear.

Nature Under Pressure: New Caledonia’s rusa deer population descends from 12 animals gifted from Java in 1870. Researchers estimate it grew to 250,000–370,000, threatening native plants. Kanak Self-Determination: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and hardship since the 2024 unrest. At the same hearing, Indonesia protested a petitioner’s remarks on West Papua and sought to have them removed from the record. Respecting Local Customs: Cruise passengers are urging fellow visitors to dress respectfully at South Pacific ports, including Lifou, and heed local traditions. Travel Spotlight: Lonely Planet named New Caledonia among its Best in Travel 2027 destinations, bringing its landscapes and culture to a global audience.

Travel Spotlight: Lonely Planet has named New Caledonia among its must-visit destinations for 2027, bringing fresh international attention to the territory. Respectful Visits: Cruise passengers are being urged to respect local customs, after complaints about revealing swimwear in South Pacific communities including Lifou. Wildlife: New Caledonia’s rusa deer population—descended from 12 animals brought from Java in 1870—has grown to an estimated 250,000–370,000, threatening native plants. Kanak Self-Determination: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and hardship, and affirming that the territory’s people must decide their future.

Wildlife Pressure: New Caledonia’s rusa deer descend from just 12 animals brought from Java in 1870. Their population was estimated at 250,000 to 370,000 in 2011, and browsing threatens the islands’ uniquely rich native plant life. Decolonisation Debate: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing ongoing political uncertainty and hardship. At a UN hearing, Indonesia also objected after a speaker raised West Papua while discussing New Caledonia. Travel Spotlight: New Caledonia features in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list, putting the territory among 25 destinations recommended for the year. Respectful Visits: Cruise passengers are again debating swimwear in South Pacific towns, including Lifou, with calls to respect local customs when coming ashore.

Wildlife and Land: A herd of 12 rusa deer gifted to New Caledonia in 1870 has grown to an estimated 250,000–370,000, threatening native plants in a biodiversity hotspot where many species are found nowhere else. Self-Determination: At a UN hearing on New Caledonia, Indonesia objected after a speaker raised West Papua’s decolonisation status. Pacific representatives also renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to assess conditions and support a lasting political settlement. Respecting Local Customs: Cruise passengers are being urged to dress appropriately when visiting South Pacific communities, including Lifou, and to respect local traditions. Conservation: On Surprise Island, removing invasive rats was followed by two- to tenfold growth in three monitored seabird populations.

UN Debate: Indonesia formally protested after a speaker at a UN hearing on New Caledonia called for West Papua to be restored to the UN decolonisation list. Respectful Travel: Cruise passengers are urging visitors to dress appropriately in South Pacific communities, including Lifou, and respect local customs. Self-Determination: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and ongoing pressures on Kanak communities after the 2024 unrest. Island Wildlife: On New Caledonia’s Surprise Island, seabird populations grew two- to tenfold after invasive rats were eradicated in 2005.

Respectful Travel: Cruise passengers are being urged to cover up when visiting South Pacific communities, including Lifou, and respect local customs and traditions. New Caledonia’s Future: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission, citing political uncertainty and continuing social and economic pressures on Kanak communities after the 2024 unrest. Island Wildlife: Long-term monitoring found seabird breeding populations on Surprise Island grew two to tenfold after invasive rats were eradicated in 2005. Regional Tensions: Vanuatu condemned a New Caledonian lawmaker’s mocking letter as racist and neo-colonial, after he ridiculed the country over its claim to Matthew and Hunter islands.