Winston Peters warns of foreign interference in New Caledonia, urges peaceful dialogue

Deputy Prime Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters has concluded his second visit to New Caledonia in six months, highlighting concerns over foreign interference and geopolitical tensions in the French Pacific territory.

Peters’ visit comes as political leaders in New Caledonia, representing pro- and anti-independence groups, meet with representatives of the French government in Noumēa this week.

The talks also follow the deadly riots of May 2024, where 13 lives were lost, with damage to buildings, infrastructure, and businesses totalling millions of dollars.

This is the first time since 2021 that all political parties have returned to the table to discuss the future of the French Pacific territory following the last referendum over independence, in which voters chose not to pursue self-rule.

Peters tells PMN News that he is optimistic about increased dialogue among local “various parties”, emphasising that violence is not the solution.

“The fact that they're talking together and pressing on, I've had discussions about how those meetings are going,” he says.

“It's just so much better to have conversations and dialogue because violence is not the answer here, and never will be.”

During his visit, Peters met with French Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, and newly-appointed New Caledonian President Alcide Ponga, who is the first Indigenous Kanak to lead the pro-France Les Républicains party.

While Peters is cautiously optimistic, he acknowledges the ongoing geopolitical tensions that could allow foreign actors to exploit instability in New Caledonia.

Winston Peters and the President of the Government of New Caledonia, Alcide Ponga. Photo/Supplied

“That is always a concern. That's always a possibility. But our job is to ensure that countries, with the best intentions and best wishes for the original settlers here and all those that live here, come to a harmonised solution, and that's what we're working on.”

Asked about whether there were any specific threats, Peters says those discussions took place in private.

“It doesn't really help if I blurt out what their concerns are. Some of them are being, as I say, rightly worked on. Some are being monitored but at this point in time, they were extraordinarily grateful to meet a country with a long tradition of being a partner of choice in the Pacific.”

Peters also met with the Director-General of the Pacific Community (SPC), Dr Stuart Minchin, to reaffirm the importance of their collaboration.

“It's a key operation in many parts of the Pacific, but biggest here in New Caledonia,” Peters says.

Winston Peters and French Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls. Photo/Supplied

“It was a very worthwhile discussion about conclusions we should come to going forward, making our focus more relevant, making our assistance more appropriate.”

Peters’ visit follows a support package announced during his last trip to Nouméa in December, which included an increase in funding for the island nation’s voluntary and non-governmental organisations to around NZ$280,000 per year.

Looking ahead, Peters says that the next steps might include a visit from New Caledonian stakeholders to New Zealand to about Aotearoa’s governance and economic models.

“With all our failings, nevertheless, [they can see] how successful we have been.”

Listen to Peters' full interview here

Peters also met New Zealand Defence Force personnel participating in the Croix du Sud military exercise, currently taking place in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, which focuses on humanitarian assistance and emergency response.

In the exercise, NZDF staff are working with officials from other Pacific countries and like-minded partners, hosted by the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia.

Peters is scheduled to return to New Zealand later today.