Political solution for New Caledonia: talk of dialogue mission

Former French Socialist prime minister Michel Rocard, hailed a “visionary statesman”, died on July 2, 2016 aged 85 his son Francis told AFP.

Caption:This file photo taken on September 10, 2015 shows former French prime minister Michel Rocard attending the event “La France s’engage pour le climat, En avant la COP21’ (France is committed to climate, Go COP21), ahead the World Climate Summit - COP21 which will be hosted in Paris from November 30 to December 11, 2015. Former French Socialist prime minister Michel Rocard, hailed a “visionary statesman”, died on July 2, 2016 aged 85 his son Francis told AFP.Photo credit:PATRICK KOVARIK / AFPFrench Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, centre, hosts a parliamentary liaison committee on the situation in New Caledonia.Le MondeBurnt vehicles are seen on a road leading to the capital in Noumea.AFP / Theo Rouby

This photograph shows a Kanak flag waving next to a burning vehicle at an independantist roadblock at La Tamoa, in the commune of Paita, France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia on May 19, 2024. French forces smashed through about 60 road blocks to clear the way from conflict-stricken New Caledonia’s capital to the airport but have still not reopened the route, a top government official said on May 19, 2024. (Photo by Delphine Mayeur / AFP)

French armed forces have secured Nouméa’s international airport.

A large plume of black smoke in New Caledonia during civil unrest.

French gendarme officers guard the entrance of the Vallee-du-Tir district, in Noumea on May 14, 2024, amid protests linked to a debate on a constitutional bill aimed at enlarging the electorate for upcoming elections of the overseas French territory of New Caledonia. After scenes of violence of “great intensity” including burned vehicles, looted stores and clashes between demonstrators and the police, a curfew was decreed in Noumea, 17,000 kilometers from Paris, as the independentists of the overseas French territory of New Caledonia oppose a constitutional revision they fear will “further minimize the indigenous Kanak people”. (Photo by Theo Rouby / AFP)

New Caledonia’s special electoral card for Congress and provincial elections.

Bougainville’s President Ishmael Toroama

Matthew Wale (left) has agreed to start treaty negotiations with Australia.

Waisake and Iliana Sabutu, long time residents of the Wairarapa.

Bowel cancer survivor Jodie Collins has just received a research grant from the Cancer Society to develop a “prehabilitation” programme to improve outcomes for newly-diagnosed patients.

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waitaha in Christchurch.

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in ‘The Sopranos’