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New Caledonia
Correspondents
You can’t negotiate on an empty stomach
Nic Maclellan
6 December 2024
A government collapses in Paris, and the shockwaves extend as far as Nouméa
Correspondents
“Better a bad deal than a good civil war”
Nic Maclellan
15 November 2024
France has delayed elections in New Caledonia to enable negotiations on a new political statute. But what happens if a deal can’t be struck?
International
And now what do we do?
Hamish McDonald
15 August 2024
Le Parisien
’s headline captures the post-Olympic challenges facing France’s new left-dominated government, not least in New Caledonia
Correspondents
Oil and water
Nic Maclellan
23 July 2024
As protests continue across New Caledonia, a high-profile Loyalist politician claims indigenous Kanak and the West are divided by “insurmountable antagonisms”
International
Eighteen hours in Nouméa
Nic Maclellan
25 May 2024
Emmanuel Macron flew halfway around the world but failed to achieve a breakthrough in a crisis that’s damaging French diplomacy in the Pacific
Essays & reportage
France’s stubborn grip
Hamish McDonald
5 October 2023
While the French president risks a new civil war just three hours’ flight from Australia, Canberra’s diplomacy remains muted
Correspondents
Death of a newspaper
Nic Maclellan
8 May 2023
The closing of New Caledonia’s only daily comes at a delicate point in the debate over the French territory’s future
International
Crash through or crash
Nic Maclellan
8 December 2021
By forcing the pace of New Caledonia’s self-determination process, France’s overseas minister risks an illegitimate vote this weekend
International
Third time lucky in New Caledonia?
Nic Maclellan
15 June 2021
France’s unilateral decision to bring forward a third independence vote might end in tears
International
New Caledonia’s triple opportunity
Nic Maclellan
10 December 2020
After weeks of protests, the Goro nickel smelter is up for grabs. Independence groups see the outcome as vital for the French dependency’s future
International
“Our accession to sovereignty is inevitable”
Nic Maclellan
2 October 2020
A vote against independence in New Caledonia this weekend won’t end the quest for nationhood
Essays & reportage
“Before Noumea, there was only London, Washington and Ottawa”
Nic Maclellan
18 September 2020
Eighty years after helping defend New Caledonia against Japan, Australia is mobilising to counter another rising Asian power
International
New Caledonia’s bleu-blanc-rouge vote
Nic Maclellan
11 September 2020
As the Pacific nation heads for a fresh independence referendum in October, many loyalists are clinging to the flag of the French Republic
Correspondents
Thirty years on, a spirit of reconciliation in New Caledonia
Nic Maclellan
10 May 2019
The legacy of assassinated Kanak independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou still drives the movement for independence in the French Pacific dependency
Correspondents
Ouvea looks forward, and back
Nic Maclellan
26 October 2018
With New Caledonia’s self-determination vote looming, our correspondent visits the scene of a turning point in the independence struggle
Correspondents
New Caledonia’s date with destiny
Nic Maclellan
11 December 2017
With a referendum on self-determination due in a year’s time, young Kanaks are debating their future
International
France and the Forum
Nic Maclellan
13 October 2016
France’s Pacific dependencies, New Caledonia and French Polynesia, have joined the Pacific Islands Forum as full members. Has French colonialism become entrenched in the…
Correspondents
Palmer’s folly and the road to New Caledonian independence
Nic Maclellan
26 May 2016
The closure of Clive Palmer’s Yabulu nickel smelter affects workers – and the political system – in New Caledonia as well as Townsville, writes
Nic Maclellan
International
Old Caledonia and New Caledonia
Nic Maclellan
9 September 2014
Tony Abbott intervened in Scotland’s referendum debate last month, worried about the threat to the Anglosphere. But independence is on the cards closer to home, writes
…