My Perspective: Pact on New Caledonia's future state a turning point

I welcome the news from Paris that New Caledonia's political leaders have signed a provisional agreement on the territory's future governance arrangements.

We can expect what has been made known as the State of New Caledonia. While the final shape of New Caledonia's future remains to be defined, the agreement signals a commitment by all sides to dialogue, compromise, and hopefully the peaceful resolution of conflict issues around identity, sovereignty, and self-determination.

For years, tensions between pro-independence and pro-France groups have simmered in New Caledonia, often erupting into unrest and deep mistrust, which we saw last year with the unfortunate deaths of 14 people.

I was supposed to be in New Caledonia the day after the riot started. We were on a Melanesian mission with Winston Peters, and I recall feeling quite distraught that we couldn't land.

But I remember that day when the visuals were coming out of New Caledonia and how devastating that was.

As New Caledonia navigates this next phase, I support and stand in solidarity with the Pacific region, recognising the benefits that come from its people choosing dialogue over division.

We've seen that constant theme, not only with New Caledonia, but also with the Cook Islands, where the answer to many of the issues is communication, for every relationship as well.

This agreement is not the end, but is hopefully a better beginning.

That's My Perspective.