Pacific News in French for 2 April 2026

This episode of RNZ's Pacific News in French covers a range of political and social developments across the Pacific region, with a central focus on the ongoing constitutional crisis in New Caledonia. The debate over the proposed constitutional law, intended to replace the 1998 Nouméa Accord, remains deeply polarizing, particularly regarding the composition of the electoral roll and the potential for a direct referendum. The political tensions are rooted in the 2024 unrest that left 14 dead and over $2 billion in damages, and the current impasse has led to a near-paralysis in governance. Meanwhile, Air Calédonie, the national airline, has declared bankruptcy after a controversial plan to relocate operations from Magenta to the international airport at La Tontouta, sparking widespread public opposition and a month-long blockade. In French Polynesia, the Tavini Huiraatira party faces internal divisions between younger reformists and older, historically dominant figures, highlighted by the surprising victory of 25-year-old Temataï Le Gaïc, who ran independently. The episode also touches on New Zealand’s foreign policy shifts, including the temporary suspension of aid to the Cook Islands due to tensions over China relations, and the ongoing climate adaptation support to Tuvalu. Finally, the episode mourns the passing of Fiji’s former president, Ratou Epeli Nailati Kao, a respected military and political figure known for his dignity and connection to traditional leadership.