Articles

Kanaky in flames: Five takeaways from the New Caledonia independence riots

ANALYSIS: By David Robie, editor of Café Pacific Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a revered Kanak visionary, was inspirational to indigenous Pacific political activists across Oceania, just like Tongan anthropologist and writer Epeli...

Why is New Caledonia on fire? According to local women, the deadly riots are about more than voting rights

ANALYSIS: By Nicole George New Caledonia’s capital city, Nouméa, has endured widespread violent rioting over the past three days....

Flashback: Betrayal of Kanaky decolonisation by Paris risks return to dark days

France has declared a state of emergency for 12 days on the Pacific territory of New Caledonia —...

Violence erupts in New Caledonia as independence supporters oppose legislation in Paris

Macron’s plan has backfired. But there can be no sustainable solution without cooperation of all parties, writes a...

Curfew in New Caledonia after Kanak pro-independence riots over French voting change plan

By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster French authorities have imposed a curfew on New Caledonia’s capital Nouméa and banned...

Archive: How PNG’s Mista Grasruts became Mr Clean

Mista Grasruts (Grassroots), the funniest cartoon character in the South Pacific, is cutting down on his beer, drinking fruit juice and setting a moral...

Archive: Tortured Fiji academic tells of his scars

From Café Pacific 1990 archives: The abduction and torture of a scientist by soldiers has exposed a sinister side to the current ruling regime...

Archive: Bougainville: New Zealand’s part in a guerilla war

New Zealanders played a critical part in a flash-point that ignited a guerilla war threatening the economy and stability of Papuas New Guinea. David...

Archive: Shattered coups – the other way

Harassment, intimidation and exile failed to silence two authors, a Fijian and a New Zealander, who claim to expose the 'truth' about Brigadier Sitiveni...

Archive: The Fijian feudal connection

After two false starts, Fiji's rival former prime ministers finally get together for vital talks over the country's future. David Robie assesses their chances. After...

Archive: Fiji 1987: ‘Sit down everybody. This is a takeover!’

Fiji: Countdown to a coup ANALYSIS: By David Robie in New Outlook Sakeasi Butadroka fingers his trademark blood-red bow-tie and laughs: "This represents the blood of...