As the sun sets on the picturesque landscapes of New Caledonia, a French territory known for its stunning lagoons and rich cultural tapestry, a shadow of unrest looms over the island.

The Australian government has issued a stark warning to its citizens: exercise a high degree of caution, as a series of protests have escalated into deadly riots, casting a pall over the tropical paradise and disrupting travel plans.

The heart of the conflict lies in a recent political decision made thousands of miles away in France's Assemblée Nationale.

French lawmakers passed a reform allowing French citizens who have been residents in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote, which has sparked outrage among the indigenous Kanak population.

The Australian government issued a travel warning as violence escalated in New Caledonia. Credit: Shutterstock

They feared their voting power and political voice would be diluted, as the Kanak people constitute about 40 per cent of the territory's 300,000 citizens.

The protests, which began on a Monday night, 13 May, quickly turned violent. Three young indigenous Kanak individuals lost their lives, with hundreds more injured in the ensuing chaos.

The Australian government's Smart Traveller website has since heightened its travel advice for the Nouméa metropolitan area, urging Australians to be vigilant and prepared for the possibility of violence erupting.

‘Political demonstrations and protests are occurring and may turn violent at short notice,’ the website read.

The situation on the ground is tense, with a curfew imposed in Nouméa from 6 pm to 6 am and a ban on public gatherings.

Despite these measures, protests have persisted, and there have even been reports of a jailbreak attempt at Nouméa Prison.

‘Essential services are impacted, and flights have been cancelled,’ the Smart Traveller website read.

‘The La Tontouta International Airport has closed. Avoid demonstrations, public gatherings and roadblocks.’

‘Minimise movement, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.’

French President Emmanuel Macron convened a defence and national security council meeting to address the riots, while the French Interior Minister reported that hundreds of people and about 100 police officers had been injured.

Arrests have soared to 130 since the protests began.

Louis Le Franc, France's High Commissioner of the Republic in New Caledonia, has warned direly of further bloodshed if peace is not restored.

‘This needs to stop now. We already have one person dead, but if we don’t stop now, it will be carnage,’ Le France said.

‘I fear for New Caledonia, dark hours lie ahead.’

The echoes of past conflicts, particularly the pro-independence rallies of the 1980s, resonate din the current unrest, marking the most significant turmoil the territory has seen in decades.

The Nouméa Accord of 1998, which aimed to transition New Caledonia towards greater autonomy by restricting the political influence of new French immigrants, is at the heart of the current discord.

The recent legislation that sparked the protests is seen as a step back from the Accord's intentions, granting French expatriates increased voting power.

As stipulated in the Accord, New Caledonia held three referendums to decide its political future.

These were held in 2018, 2020, and 2021, providing voters with the option of independence.

However, the proposition for self-determination was rejected each time.

Notably, pro-independence parties boycotted the final referendum in 2021.

Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has expressed the country's commitment to its relationship with both New Caledonia and the French State.

‘We respect and support the process and the discussions underway between all parties,’ the Prime Minister said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has echoed this sentiment, encouraging all parties to work constructively towards shaping New Caledonia's institutional future.

‘We are closely monitoring the situation in New Caledonia. Australia values our relationship with both New Caledonia and the French State,’ a spokesperson said.

‘We respect and support the referendum process under the Nouméa Accord and the discussions underway.’

You can watch ABC News’ coverage below:

Credit: ABC News Australia / YouTube​

Key Takeaways

• Australians are warned to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to New Caledonia due to ongoing protests against constitutional reform.
• Three people, including young indigenous Kanak people, have been killed, and hundreds injured amid violent riots.
• Political demonstrations may turn violent at short notice, affecting essential services, cancelling flights, and closing the La Tontouta International Airport.
• The Australian government is monitoring the situation, values its relationship with New Caledonia and the French State, and encourages all parties to work constructively under the Nouméa Accord of 1998.

Have you or someone you know been affected by the situation in New Caledonia? Let us know in the comments below.

 

[Joydie]

I've travelled to Noumea and hated the place. I found shop assistants rude and unhelpful and most things totally overpriced. We were on a cruise and were warned before the ship docked that pedestrian crossings meant nothing to motorists, and actually saw a young couple with a small child wearing braces on both legs have to grab their child and run to dodge a taxi which didn't even slow down.

We paid a fortune for a tour of the island which was supposed to include a hilltop picnic with French vintage champagne. The food consisted of one savoury each and, as a connoisseur of good champers, I found the champagne almost undrinkable. I asked to see the bottle but was refused.

All in all, it doesn't really surprise me that riots are occurring because the population generally just seemed so surly and miserable. Also, the French just love a good stoush.

 

[Dee3141]

I'm only writing to address the issue of balance. We have been there as family and a deux several times and have had no complaints of any kind. One visit was unfortunate in that my wife developed appendicitis on a cruise and we were offloaded for her to receive hospital attention. Given that the hospital was relatively new and the world class French doctors and equipment there, the treatment was as good as anywhere. After a week they decided to let her come home for the operation, but during that week both her hospital treatment and my hotel service were faultless.

 

[Fernsie]

You can't judge a country by just a one day visit from a cruise ship!
We have stayed and travelled throughout New Caledonia many times over the past twenty years and our experience is vastly different from those who haven't spent the time to understand the people or the culture.

 

[Joydie]

I'm only writing to address the issue of balance. We have been there as family and a deux several times and have had no complaints of any kind. One visit was unfortunate in that my wife developed appendicitis on a cruise and we were offloaded for her to receive hospital attention. Given that the hospital was relatively new and the world class French doctors and equipment there, the treatment was as good as anywhere. After a week they decided to let her come home for the operation, but during that week both her hospital treatment and my hotel service were faultless.

I'm glad your experience was a good one, especially in view of the circumstances.

I think what started the visit off badly for us was when we were browsing in a souvenir shop and the male at the checkout began shouting in French at a very elderly man from the cruise ship. He just wanted to know the price of something and couldn't understand the accent. I speak French well enough to translate and I did. The poor old man was almost in tears, and as a nurse, and someone who respects the elderly, I was furious to witness this.

The island tour was declared by every passenger as a rip-off, so it wasn't just us who thought so. After dinner that night, we joined another couple on a trip to one of the local bars. There was only one bar attendant, and she looked at us when we entered, then turned her back and went to the other side of the bar. My husband and the other man tried in vain to attract her attention. She was simply chatting to other patrons. She didn't serve one drink while we were there. Needless to say we left and had a drink together back on the ship.

I adore Paris however, and although our hotelier never managed to raise a smile the entire time we were there, his service was great and the staff in all the cafes and patisseries were lovely. I was told by many people that the reason for this was that I made an effort to speak to them in French. That didn't work in Noumea however.

 

[Joydie]

You can't judge a country by just a one day visit from a cruise ship!
We have stayed and travelled throughout New Caledonia many times over the past twenty years and our experience is vastly different from those who haven't spent the time to understand the people or the culture.

It's not a question of not understanding the people or the culture. I understand much more about different cultures than you give me credit for. Bad service and rudeness, as far as I know, isn't a part of any culture.

Read my answer to another member's comment and tell me that you'd have rushed back if this was your experience the first time you visited. Our bad experiences were in four different areas from mid morning to 9pm at night.

 

[Veggiepatch]

For the record, my ancestry is French. I even share my surname with a French town.

I have never been to New Caledonia, France or an French territory in my life. I do not speak French but have a good grasp of German. My experience with French "people" in THIS country is nothing short of abominable. Their arrogance and smugness is unparalleled. French "people", old or young, male or female, are nothing short of total arsewipes.

My hatred of these vermin is paramount. Only a few nationalities are more despised by myself.

Let's face it! I HATE EVERYBODY!

 

[marni]

I've travelled to Noumea and hated the place. I found shop assistants rude and unhelpful and most things totally overpriced. We were on a cruise and were warned before the ship docked that pedestrian crossings meant nothing to motorists, and actually saw a young couple with a small child wearing braces on both legs have to grab their child and run to dodge a taxi which didn't even slow down.

We paid a fortune for a tour of the island which was supposed to include a hilltop picnic with French vintage champagne. The food consisted of one savoury each and, as a connoisseur of good champers, I found the champagne almost undrinkable. I asked to see the bottle but was refused.

All in all, it doesn't really surprise me that riots are occurring because the population generally just seemed so surly and miserable. Also, the French just love a good stoush.

Each time we went I made sure I just did an excursion to an island or grabbed the bus to a small island nearby to snorkel. It’s a town I would not recommend

 

[Veggiepatch]

Also, the French just love a good stoush.

Too bad they are generally on the wrong end of the stick.

Damn cheese munching surrender monkeys....

 

[Ingot]

If you didn't enjoy Noumea or New Caledonia, then perhaps it Y-O-U who is the problem.

I back-packed there for 3 months, in 1994 at age 34.
I stayed at the Auberge de Jeunesse, Noumea with all Nationalities, incl French Continentals.

Then joined 4 others and hired a car and drove around in 6 days. I spoke a little French, and a couple of the others spoke a little English.
Had 3 weeks on Ile des Pins. met the chief of the 13 tribes on that Islamd, and he showed us how to butcher a coconut in 15 seconds with a machete.

Walked across Noumea from 3 directions and shopped and chatted; got invited to the staff tea rooms for coffee and croissants; enjoyed laughing with locals as we swapped stories in both broken French and broken English; taught English at night in the Auberge, and in payment took free French lessons.

Can only say I had a magical 3 months there and returned twice more, but only for 9 or ten days.
Eventually met and married a lady from there, who had moved here.

These people are not your servants. The French have dignity and demand respect.
Tourists come along and expect the locals to bow and scrape, and address them in English.
What's wrong with that?
Well if you cannot see your own arrogance, don't go there.

The people are lovely, if you smile, show some interest in them, compliment them, and make an effort to speak a few basic phrases.

I am no one special, but I was made so welcome that I didn't want to leave.
Even today I miss the place,
I guess it depends on your expectations.
If you give first, then you will receive. The other way around, it doesn't work.

Those who run the place down do so because they have expectations that are a little unrealistic. You might be a king here, but you are just another stranger there, and need to show yourself friendly, not demanding.

Better for you to stay away, and leave them in their Island H-O-M-E.
After all, you wouldn't want them coming here and running down your place, would you?

I found the people very tolerant.
Australians have a reputation of being very arrogant over there.
I hope my enjoyment of their land, and the small friendships I cultivated, went a long way towards flipping that attitude on it's head.

 

[Ingot]

For the record, my ancestry is French. I even share my surname with a French town.

I have never been to New Caledonia, France or an French territory in my life. I do not speak French but have a good grasp of German. My experience with French "people" in THIS country is nothing short of abominable. Their arrogance and smugness is unparalleled. French "people", old or young, male or female, are nothing short of total arsewipes.

My hatred of these vermin is paramount. Only a few nationalities are more despised by myself.

Let's face it! I HATE EVERYBODY!

My olden ancestry is Prussian/French, but more recent is Anglo-Saxon - (German, Irish, Scottish and English).
No one gives a rats, really, and why should they!
We all have different levels of respect due to culture and nurturing.
It's the person that matters.
The head on the shoulders and the heart in the chest.
I have never experienced a person from another nation who I couldn't get along with, or find common ground to smile with (unless the other person was a sociopath, or wanted everyone to think so).

My grandfather fought at Gallipoli, and was pulled out of there and ended up in Pozieres, France, where they were battered by the Germans.
They held their ground, and to this day the Australians are revered there.

Pop stayed behind at the end of the war to bury man and beast, and to rebuild roads, bridges and fences, and to remove unexploded ordnance and so on. He return home in 1921, having survived the "Spanish Flu."

Anyone can be a pig.
But if you make a little effort, no one need know about it!

 

[Joydie]

If you didn't enjoy Noumea or New Caledonia, then perhaps it Y-O-U who is the problem.

I back-packed there for 3 months, in 1994 at age 34.
I stayed at the Auberge de Jeunesse, Noumea with all Nationalities, incl French Continentals.

Then joined 4 others and hired a car and drove around in 6 days. I spoke a little French, and a couple of the others spoke a little English.
Had 3 weeks on Ile des Pins. met the chief of the 13 tribes on that Islamd, and he showed us how to butcher a coconut in 15 seconds with a machete.

Walked across Noumea from 3 directions and shopped and chatted; got invited to the staff tea rooms for coffee and croissants; enjoyed laughing with locals as we swapped stories in both broken French and broken English; taught English at night in the Auberge, and in payment took free French lessons.

Can only say I had a magical 3 months there and returned twice more, but only for 9 or ten days.
Eventually met and married a lady from there, who had moved here.

These people are not your servants. The French have dignity and demand respect.
Tourists come along and expect the locals to bow and scrape, and address them in English.
What's wrong with that?
Well if you cannot see your own arrogance, don't go there.

The people are lovely, if you smile, show some interest in them, compliment them, and make an effort to speak a few basic phrases.

I am no one special, but I was made so welcome that I didn't want to leave.
Even today I miss the place,
I guess it depends on your expectations.
If you give first, then you will receive. The other way around, it doesn't work.

Those who run the place down do so because they have expectations that are a little unrealistic. You might be a king here, but you are just another stranger there, and need to show yourself friendly, not demanding.

Better for you to stay away, and leave them in their Island H-O-M-E.
After all, you wouldn't want them coming here and running down your place, would you?

I found the people very tolerant.
Australians have a reputation of being very arrogant over there.
I hope my enjoyment of their land, and the small friendships I cultivated, went a long way towards flipping that attitude on it's head.

I find it fascinating when people attribute character flaws to people they know nothing about. Your post is full of platitudes and comments on how you believe others must have been at fault if they had a bad experience. It's a bit arrogant to expect everyone to love something because do.

I've been to many countries, and the only place I wouldn't return to is Noumea. Interestingly it's a fact known throughout the tourism industry that Noumea is no longer a popular destination for tourists worldwide. I wonder why that could be.

 

[Ingot]

I'm glad your experience was a good one, especially in view of the circumstances.

I think what started the visit off badly for us was when we were browsing in a souvenir shop and the male at the checkout began shouting in French at a very elderly man from the cruise ship. He just wanted to know the price of something and couldn't understand the accent. I speak French well enough to translate and I did. The poor old man was almost in tears, and as a nurse, and someone who respects the elderly, I was furious to witness this.

The island tour was declared by every passenger as a rip-off, so it wasn't just us who thought so. After dinner that night, we joined another couple on a trip to one of the local bars. There was only one bar attendant, and she looked at us when we entered, then turned her back and went to the other side of the bar. My husband and the other man tried in vain to attract her attention. She was simply chatting to other patrons. She didn't serve one drink while we were there. Needless to say we left and had a drink together back on the ship.

I adore Paris however, and although our hotelier never managed to raise a smile the entire time we were there, his service was great and the staff in all the cafes and patisseries were lovely. I was told by many people that the reason for this was that I made an effort to speak to them in French. That didn't work in Noumea however.

You sound like the typical tourist who gives Australians a bad name over there.
It's not hard to see that because you were "doing the country a service by buying their junk trinkets at inflated prices" that you perhaps expected a little too much homage from the natives?

How do you think it came to be that tourists got treated as you claim to have been?
My experience was the total opposite.
Not once in 3 months did I get anything but smiles and happiness, and I didn't have to buy anything to receive that.

I wanted to return to work as a midwife in the local hospital, but on my return to Australia, I met my (now) wife, and had to be content with occasional visits when she returned to keep up with her family.

 

[Ingot]

I find it fascinating when people attribute character flaws to people they know nothing about. Your post is full of platitudes and comments on how you believe others must have been at fault if they had a bad experience. It's a bit arrogant to expect everyone to love something because do.

I've been to many countries, and the only place I wouldn't return to is Noumea. Interestingly it's a fact known throughout the tourism industry that Noumea is no longer a popular destination for tourists worldwide. I wonder why that could be.

I have no idea. It's still popular with me.
But then I demand nothing and respect others' homes.

Let the reader judge whose attitude was responsible for their experiences.

I have been there several times and n-e-v-e-r experienced anything of the like.

Luckily for me, I wasn't aware of "a-fact-known-throughout-the-tourism-industry!"
Did it ever enter your thoughts that perhaps the locals were also pleased to bid you "Adieu!?"
Maybe you were a little "too English" for them ... you know ... "whinging Pom" ... that sort of thing?
Jus' sayin'

 

[marni]

I find it fascinating when people attribute character flaws to people they know nothing about. Your post is full of platitudes and comments on how you believe others must have been at fault if they had a bad experience. It's a bit arrogant to expect everyone to love something because do.

I've been to many countries, and the only place I wouldn't return to is Noumea. Interestingly it's a fact known throughout the tourism industry that Noumea is no longer a popular destination for tourists worldwide. I wonder why that could be.

Everyone’s opinion is as relevant as another. He hasn’t changed my mind, been there several times and it’s one destination that I feel personally do not need to go again.

 

[Joydie]

You sound like the typical tourist who gives Australians a bad name over there.
It's not hard to see that because you were "doing the country a service by buying their junk trinkets at inflated prices" that you perhaps expected a little too much homage from the natives?

How do you think it came to be that tourists got treated as you claim to have been?
My experience was the total opposite.
Not once in 3 months did I get anything but smiles and happiness, and I didn't have to buy anything to receive that.

I wanted to return to work as a midwife in the local hospital, but on my return to Australia, I met my (now) wife, and had to be content with occasional visits when she returned to keep up with her family.

Please point out to me where I wrote 'doing the country a service by buying their junk trinkets at inflated prices'. I wrote that my husband and I were browsing in a store. I said nothing whatever about buying. Perhaps you're unfamiliar with correct grammar, so I'll overlook the fact that you put these comments in inverted commas. When you do that, it means you're directly quoting the person you're replying to. Since I never wrote that, I'm not sure why you did that.

Look, I respect your right to have a different opinion from me when it comes to Noumea. What I don't respect, is the fact that you're unable to express that opinion without attempting to assassinate my character. I've said not one nasty word to you or anyone else on this topic, so perhaps you might consider what gives you the right to speak rudely to someone you know nothing about. I treat everyone the same and I've expressed my opinion honestly and without getting personal.

 

[Ingot]

Everyone’s opinion is as relevant as another. He hasn’t changed my mind, been there several times and it’s one destination that I feel personally do not need to go again.

Do everyone a favour - stay at home.
You give Australians a bad name.
Next time you travel - go the opposite direction and leave good people alone - you won't be missed in Nouvelle Caledonie, Je vous assure!

 

[Ingot]

Please point out to me where I wrote 'doing the country a service by buying their junk trinkets at inflated prices'. I wrote that my husband and I were browsing in a store. I said nothing whatever about buying. Perhaps you're unfamiliar with correct grammar, so I'll overlook the fact that you put these comments in inverted commas. When you do that, it means you're directly quoting the person you're replying to. Since I never wrote that, I'm not sure why you did that.

Look, I respect your right to have a different opinion from me when it comes to Noumea. What I don't respect, is the fact that you're unable to express that opinion without attempting to assassinate my character. I've said not one nasty word to you or anyone else on this topic, so perhaps you might consider what gives you the right to speak rudely to someone you know nothing about. I treat everyone the same and I've expressed my opinion honestly and without getting personal.

Perhaps if you didn't run down people in NC by saying they were rude, didn't serve you, were rude to others blah blah - you know - having a whinge - then no one (who has had nothing but respect and acceptance, and has experienced courtesy and hospitality) would feel the need to restore balance to the account, and speak up to tell people it isn't so.

No longer sure if it was you or marnie now (and I don't care enough to read the rubbish again for accuracy) who expressed the attitude I reacted to, but it seems there is a "pile-on" here that is indefensible. You are fortunate it is me and not some NC Nationals taking you to task for your bad mouthing of them.

Usually when people gang up about not being pandered to, they reveal more about their own personality, than the people they slander.

I do not intend to answer every retort you seem to feel the need to fire at me, but I will say that anything I put in parenthesis is designed to emphasise your seeming attitude, rather than a direct quote. It was meant to be metaphorical, but you couldn't pick up on that!

Clean up your attitude and people might like and respect you more - wherever you travel.

 

[Ingot]

* I've travelled to Noumea and hated the place.
* I found shop assistants rude and unhelpful and most things totally overpriced.
* We were on a cruise and were warned before the ship docked
* We paid a fortune for a tour of the island ...
* it doesn't really surprise me that riots are occurring
* the population generally just seemed so surly and miserable.

What a summary - you just described what's in your head.
You'd made up your mind before you even got off the boat that the place was no good.
Why on earth did you go there.
You must have known the exchange rate before you left Australia.
You must have had an idea of the cost of living in a remote island.

With your attitude locked and loaded, it's a surprise to no one that what you went there expecting to find, was exactly what you discovered.

Tell you what - next time you want a holiday, go west.
Alice Springs is cheaper.
And it will give you something to tell the grandchildren about for 10 years.

I don't care if you whinge about me - but in the future when you want to bad mouth some people, make sure you are standing in front of them first.

 

[marni]

Do everyone a favour - stay at home.
You give Australians a bad name.
Next time you travel - go the opposite direction and leave good people alone - you won't be missed in Nouvelle Caledonie, Je vous assure!

You are the one bad mouthing people you have never met. At least we went and met the people who we felt did not live up to expectations. As you say, posts say more about the character of those who rant like you than about those that love travelling.