AGP Executive Report

Travel Spotlight: New Caledonia has made Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list, bringing fresh attention to its landscapes and island culture. Wildlife and Heritage: Rusa deer descended from just 12 animals brought from Java in 1870; their estimated population of up to 370,000 threatens native plants, many found nowhere else. Decolonisation: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and hardship since the 2024 unrest. At a UN hearing, a petitioner linked Kanak self-determination with West Papua, drawing a formal protest from Indonesia. Regional Tensions: Vanuatu condemned a New Caledonian lawmaker’s mocking remarks over competing claims to Matthew and Hunter islands as racist and neo-colonial. Respectful Tourism: Cruise visitors to Lifou are again being urged to respect local customs, including expectations around swimwear.

Nature Under Pressure: New Caledonia’s rusa deer population descends from 12 animals gifted from Java in 1870. Researchers estimate it grew to 250,000–370,000, threatening native plants. Kanak Self-Determination: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and hardship since the 2024 unrest. At the same hearing, Indonesia protested a petitioner’s remarks on West Papua and sought to have them removed from the record. Respecting Local Customs: Cruise passengers are urging fellow visitors to dress respectfully at South Pacific ports, including Lifou, and heed local traditions. Travel Spotlight: Lonely Planet named New Caledonia among its Best in Travel 2027 destinations, bringing its landscapes and culture to a global audience.

Travel Spotlight: Lonely Planet has named New Caledonia among its must-visit destinations for 2027, bringing fresh international attention to the territory. Respectful Visits: Cruise passengers are being urged to respect local customs, after complaints about revealing swimwear in South Pacific communities including Lifou. Wildlife: New Caledonia’s rusa deer population—descended from 12 animals brought from Java in 1870—has grown to an estimated 250,000–370,000, threatening native plants. Kanak Self-Determination: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and hardship, and affirming that the territory’s people must decide their future.

Wildlife Pressure: New Caledonia’s rusa deer descend from just 12 animals brought from Java in 1870. Their population was estimated at 250,000 to 370,000 in 2011, and browsing threatens the islands’ uniquely rich native plant life. Decolonisation Debate: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing ongoing political uncertainty and hardship. At a UN hearing, Indonesia also objected after a speaker raised West Papua while discussing New Caledonia. Travel Spotlight: New Caledonia features in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list, putting the territory among 25 destinations recommended for the year. Respectful Visits: Cruise passengers are again debating swimwear in South Pacific towns, including Lifou, with calls to respect local customs when coming ashore.

Wildlife and Land: A herd of 12 rusa deer gifted to New Caledonia in 1870 has grown to an estimated 250,000–370,000, threatening native plants in a biodiversity hotspot where many species are found nowhere else. Self-Determination: At a UN hearing on New Caledonia, Indonesia objected after a speaker raised West Papua’s decolonisation status. Pacific representatives also renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to assess conditions and support a lasting political settlement. Respecting Local Customs: Cruise passengers are being urged to dress appropriately when visiting South Pacific communities, including Lifou, and to respect local traditions. Conservation: On Surprise Island, removing invasive rats was followed by two- to tenfold growth in three monitored seabird populations.

UN Debate: Indonesia formally protested after a speaker at a UN hearing on New Caledonia called for West Papua to be restored to the UN decolonisation list. Respectful Travel: Cruise passengers are urging visitors to dress appropriately in South Pacific communities, including Lifou, and respect local customs. Self-Determination: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to New Caledonia, citing political uncertainty and ongoing pressures on Kanak communities after the 2024 unrest. Island Wildlife: On New Caledonia’s Surprise Island, seabird populations grew two- to tenfold after invasive rats were eradicated in 2005.

Respectful Travel: Cruise passengers are being urged to cover up when visiting South Pacific communities, including Lifou, and respect local customs and traditions. New Caledonia’s Future: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission, citing political uncertainty and continuing social and economic pressures on Kanak communities after the 2024 unrest. Island Wildlife: Long-term monitoring found seabird breeding populations on Surprise Island grew two to tenfold after invasive rats were eradicated in 2005. Regional Tensions: Vanuatu condemned a New Caledonian lawmaker’s mocking letter as racist and neo-colonial, after he ridiculed the country over its claim to Matthew and Hunter islands.

Family Travel: A Pacific cruise could ease the logistics of a multi-generational holiday, with December–January sailings from Sydney calling at Noumea and Lifou. Regional Self-Determination: French Polynesia President Moetai Brotherson proposed a three-step UN process—public education, a UN visiting mission and an agreed path to a referendum—while urging France to begin decolonisation talks. New Caledonia at the UN: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission, citing political uncertainty and ongoing social and economic pressures after the May 2024 unrest. Island Dispute: Vanuatu condemned New Caledonian lawmaker Nicolas Metzdorf’s mocking remarks over its sovereignty claims to Matthew and Hunter islands as racist and neo-colonial. Wildlife Recovery: On Surprise Island in New Caledonia’s d’Entrecasteaux Reefs, three seabird populations grew two to tenfold after invasive rats were eradicated.

New Caledonia: Pacific countries renewed calls for a UN visiting mission, saying an independent assessment could help address political uncertainty and hardship since the May 2024 unrest. They also highlighted pressures facing Kanak communities in health, education and employment. Regional Tensions: Vanuatu condemned New Caledonian lawmaker Nicolas Metzdorf’s mocking, racist letter over the disputed Matthew and Hunter Islands, calling its tone neo-colonial. Conservation: On Surprise Island, three seabird populations grew two to tenfold after invasive rats were eradicated in 2005, according to long-term monitoring. Pacific Self-Determination: French Polynesia’s president urged France to begin UN-backed decolonisation talks, saying the people should be able to choose their political future freely.

New Caledonia’s Future: Pacific representatives renewed calls for a UN visiting mission to assess the territory’s political uncertainty and social and economic pressures after the 2024 unrest. They said an independent assessment could help support a lasting settlement, with self-determination resting with New Caledonia’s people. Regional Tensions: Vanuatu condemned New Caledonian lawmaker Nicolas Metzdorf’s mocking letter over the disputed Matthew and Hunter islands as racist and neo-colonial, sharpening a sovereignty dispute with deep regional and Indigenous ties. Decolonisation Dialogue: French Polynesia’s president urged France to begin UN-backed talks and proposed public education, a UN visiting mission and an agreed path to a referendum on the Mā’ohi people’s future. Island Conservation: On New Caledonia’s Surprise Island, three seabird populations grew two- to tenfold after invasive rats were eradicated in 2005, according to long-term monitoring.

UN Decolonisation: French Polynesia’s President Moetai Brotherson told the UN C-24 that the territory wants a clear, staged path to democratic self-determination, including UN visits, public education on options, and a referendum with no predetermined outcome—arguing the future can’t stay only a French domestic matter. Pacific Sovereignty Clash: Vanuatu hit back hard at a pro-France New Caledonian lawmaker’s “racist” and “neo-colonial” rant over Matthew and Hunter Islands, saying the islands aren’t France and that colonialism shouldn’t be mocked into policy. Conservation & Culture of Place: Surprise Island in New Caledonia’s d’Entrecasteaux Reefs shows how long-term cleanup can work: after invasive rats were removed in 2005, monitored seabird populations later rose two to tenfold. Ocean Incident: Rare sperm whales reportedly smashed a yacht in the southwest Pacific, leaving four crew stranded before rescue 18 hours later. Arts & Heritage: Te Papa’s Museum of New Zealand highlights Pacific Arts, including how objects and traditions travel across the region and into collections. Sports (Local Interest): Guyana’s team wrapped up the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, earning new conditional titles for players including Kyle Couchman and Keron Sandiford.

EU Overseas Territories: Development MEPs in Strasbourg push for stronger EU funding, democratic oversight and local consultation as they update the EU’s relationship with Overseas Countries and Territories, including Greenland, amid rising geopolitical pressure. Pacific Sovereignty Clash: Vanuatu has condemned a “racist, neo-colonial” rant by a pro-France New Caledonian lawmaker tied to the Matthew and Hunter Islands dispute, while Vanuatu’s UN speech also raised West Papua human rights concerns and renewed calls for decolonisation of Kanaky New Caledonia. Long-Run Conservation Win: Surprise Island in New Caledonia’s d’Entrecasteaux Reefs shows what patience can do: after invasive rats were cleared in 2005, seabird breeding populations rebounded two to ten times over the following years. Ocean Safety Drama: A rare sperm whale encounter left four crew stranded after a pod smashed a yacht in the southwest Pacific near New Caledonia; rescue came about 18 hours later. Culture & Travel Spotlight: Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 highlights destinations and experiences worldwide, with Rabat and Kenya’s Tsavo parks among the picks. Arts & Heritage Notes: Te Papa’s Museum of New Zealand features “Pacific Arts,” spotlighting Polynesian material culture and cross-cultural craftsmanship.

EU Overseas Territories: Development MEPs in Strasbourg pushed for stronger EU support for Greenland and other Overseas Countries and Territories, calling for more funding plus democratic oversight as geostrategic pressure grows. Pacific Sovereignty Clash: Vanuatu condemned a New Caledonian pro-France lawmaker’s “racist, neo-colonial” rant over Matthew and Hunter Islands, saying the islands are not France’s and rejecting any attempt to redraw borders. UN Human Rights & Decolonisation: In a UN General Assembly speech, Vanuatu also raised alleged human rights violations in West Papua, urged decolonisation of Kanaky New Caledonia, and called on France to accept ICJ jurisdiction over the disputed islands. Conservation Win in New Caledonia Waters: After invasive rats were cleared from Surprise Island in 2005, seabird breeding populations rebounded dramatically over the following 16 years, with three species growing two to tenfold. Lifestyle & Travel Buzz: Lonely Planet named Oman among its Best in Travel 2027 picks, spotlighting Arabian hospitality and the country’s cultural and natural variety. Regional Culture Spotlight: Te Papa’s Museum of New Zealand highlights Pacific Arts, including how objects and craft traditions travel and get reinterpreted in global collections. Whale Incident at Sea: A rare sperm whale encounter sank a yacht in the southwest Pacific, leaving four crew stranded before rescue 18 hours later.

Pacific Sovereignty Clash: Vanuatu has condemned a “shameful, racist, neo-colonial” rant by New Caledonian lawmaker Nicolas Metzdorf after he mocked Vanuatu’s UN position on Matthew and Hunter Islands, escalating a dispute tied to indigenous ownership and decolonisation calls. UN Human Rights Push: In the same UN setting, Vanuatu also urged action over alleged human rights violations in West Papua and renewed support for Kanaky New Caledonia’s self-determination, calling on France to accept ICJ jurisdiction. Conservation Win in New Caledonia Waters: After invasive rats were cleared from Surprise Island in 2005, monitored seabird populations rebounded dramatically over the following years, with three species’ breeding numbers rising two to tenfold—an unusually long, real-world test of restoration success. Culture & Lifestyle Roundup: Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 spotlights culture-led destinations (including Rabat and Kenya’s Tsavo parks) and highlights Oman for “Arabian hospitality,” reflecting how travel media is shaping what people seek next year. Local Lifestyle Business Note: British brands Joules and Belstaff are expanding outlet retail at Caledonia Park in Scotland, a reminder of how lifestyle shopping keeps reshaping regional destinations.

West Papua & Kanaky Decolonisation at the UN: Vanuatu’s UN speech raised fresh concerns about alleged human rights violations in West Papua, backed decolonisation of Kanaky New Caledonia, and urged France to accept the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the disputed Matthew and Hunter islands—sparking a sharp, racist open letter response from New Caledonia’s Nicolas Metzdorf as far-right forces push to derail any negotiated path. Conservation with long memory: Surprise Island in New Caledonia’s d’Entrecasteaux Reefs shows what works when people stick around: after invasive rats were cleared in 2005, seabird breeding populations rebounded two to tenfold over the following years, offering rare long-term proof that restoration efforts can pay off. Pacific climate diplomacy: Tuvalu’s “two-metre reality” is being used to press Pacific climate talks forward, keeping rising seas and lived experience at the centre of negotiations. Culture & learning beyond the islands: The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa highlights Pacific arts, including how Polynesian objects can reflect cross-cultural craft links across the region.

Conservation & Nature: Surprise Island in New Caledonia’s d’Entrecasteaux Reefs became a rare long-term test case after invasive rats were cleared in 2005; a 2023 study reports three seabird species’ breeding populations rose two to tenfold over the following years, showing cleanup plus patience can restore island life. Regional Politics & Indigenous Rights: Vanuatu urged the UN to focus on alleged human rights violations in West Papua, backed Kanaky New Caledonia decolonisation, and called on France to accept ICJ jurisdiction over the Matthew and Hunter Islands. Culture & Heritage: A museum spotlight on Pacific arts at Te Papa highlights how Polynesian objects—like barkcloth and carved instruments—reflect cross-cultural ties across the region, including mistaken identities that reveal shared histories. Lifestyle & Retail: Joules is set to open its first Scotland outlet store at Caledonia Park Designer Outlet in Gretna, joining Belstaff there as the outlet’s sales continue to grow. Earth & Community Safety: Reports include a 5.1 quake hitting New Caledonia and a separate 7.0 (revised to 6.6) quake near the Loyalty Islands with no tsunami threat.