French Pacific news in brief

New Caledonia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) President David Guyenne Photo: NC la 1ère

Over 10,000 left New Caledonia

Over 10,000 people left New Caledonia in 2024, according to New Caledonia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) President David Guyenne.

Guyenne told public broadcaster NC la 1ère these figures (10,713, about 4 percent of the total population) were based on departures and arrivals data collected by the French Pacific territory's La Tontouta airport, which is managed by the CCI.

Guyenne said even though the figures were linked to air traffic only, La Tontouta airport manages about 99 percent of New Caledonia's population flows.

New Caledonia's official census (which usually takes place every five years) was scheduled to take place in 2024, but had to be postponed for security reasons, due to the insurrectional riots that started in May 2024.

Last week, New Caledonia's statistical institute ISEE Director Elise Desmazures, said plans were already underway for the population count to happen this year.

She said this exercise, which needs at least for months of preparation, was very important in order to obtain reliable figures.

Hospital closure

Poindimié’s hospital emergencies to close this month Photo: NC la 1ère

New Caledonia's Northern district hospital, which serves the small towns of Poindimié and Koumac, will be forced to close its emergency services this month, provincial authorities have announced.

The closure will initially last for one month, with an expected reopening by March 2025.

This was due to a lack of medical practitioners and nurses.

The move was said to affect the Northern and Eastern Coast parts of the main island of Grande Terre.

However, in the same region, the Koné emergency services will remain open 24/7.

The whole of New Caledonia has been experiencing an acute shortage of medical personnel since the May 2024 riots.

President Alcide Ponga meets New Zealand Consul

New Caledonia’s President Alcide Ponga (middle) meets New Zealand Consul General Mary Thurston (right) and her deputy Lauren Anderson-Lister (left) Photo: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie

New Caledonia's new President Alcide Ponga met with New Zealand's newly-arrived Consul General Mary Thurston and her deputy Lauren Anderson-Lister.

The meeting, on 28 January, was said to focus on strengthening future bilateral relations, including through a scholarship scheme and a working holiday visas for New Caledonian young adults.

Wallis and Futuna islands population drops

Wallis and Futuna islands population has dropped by 23 percent over the past 20 years Photo: Wallis et Futuna la 1ère

The population of the Wallis and Futuna islands has dropped by 23 percent over the past 20 years.

The figure is mentioned in a recent report to the French National Assembly (lower House of Parliament) focusing on the populations of French Overseas Territories.

According to the statistics, this means Wallis and Futuna's population is now around 11,150.

According to the 2009 census, over 21,000 permanent residents in nearby New Caledonia described themselves as being of Wallisian and Futunian heritage.

The main reasons for permanently settling in New Caledonia were studies and employment opportunities.

Tahitians celebrate 250th anniversary of first catholic mass

Tahitians celebrate 250th anniversary of first catholic mass in Tahiti Photo: Polynésie la 1ère

Several hundred Tahitian Catholics took part in a series of masses last week to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first catholic mass celebrated on the main island of Tahiti, on 1 January 1775.

Among international invited guests in attendance was Guam Archbishop Ryan Pagente Jimenez.