@import("../styles/ie5.css"); Home Who is NZAID What we do NZAID programmes ... Where do we work French Pacific Territories French Pacific Territories The French Pacific territories include New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna. New Caledonia is northeast of Australia. French Polynesia is situated in the Eastern Pacific. Wallis and Futuna are two small groups of volcanic islands 600km northeast of Fiji. Overview New Caledonia became an Overseas Territory of France in 1946. Following the signing of the Noumea Accord in 1998 and the passage of the organic law in 1999, New Caledonia gained an enhanced and unique self-governing status within the French Constitution. It has an estimated population of more than 230,000 people, of which nearly 50% are Kanaks. French Polynesia became an Overseas Territory of France in 1946 and has increased self-governing status since 1984. Its new autonomy statute approved in February 2004 further increased its autonomy from France in some additional areas. As in the case of New Caledonia, it can now conduct its own economic negotiations. In both territories, however, France continues to manage defence, justice, public order, finance and foreign affairs. French Polynesia has a population of over 250,000. The islands of Wallis and Futuna were declared a French protectorate in 1888 and following a referendum in 1959, the islands became an overseas territory of France in 1961. The resident population of the islands is about 14,000, of which 50% is under 20 years. Many Wallisians and Futunians live and work in New Caledonia (over 17, 500 in 1996). | |
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