Caption: NZAID provides assistance to people from the French Pacific Territories to undertake short-term training in New Zealand. (Photo courtesy of © photos-nouvelle-caledonie.com)

French Pacific Territories

2008/2009 Allocation | $625,000

Snapshot

The French Pacific Territories include New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna.

New Caledonia

Located to the north east of Australia, New Caledonia became an overseas territory of France in 1946. Following the signing of the Noumea Accord in 1998 and the passing of the organic law in 1999, New Caledonia gained an enhanced and unique self-governing status within the French Constitution. It has an estimated population of more than 230,000 people, of which nearly 50% are Kanaks.

French Polynesia

Situated in the eastern Pacific, French Polynesia became an overseas territory of France in 1946 and has had increased self-governing status since 1984. Its new Autonomy Statute approved in February 2004 further increased its autonomy from France in some additional areas. As in the case of New Caledonia, it can now conduct its own economic negotiations. French Polynesia has a population of over 250,000.

Wallis and Futuna

Wallis and Futuna are two small groups of volcanic islands located 600 kilometres northeast of Fiji. The islands were declared a French protectorate in 1888 and following a referendum in 1959, the islands became an overseas territory of France in 1961. The resident population of the islands is about 14,000, of which 50% are under 20 years.

NZAID priorities

NZAID provides assistance for people from the French Pacific Territories to undertake vocational study and training in New Zealand. The objective of the programme is to provide short-term employment-related training to enhance equitable social and economic development in the territories.

NZAID on the ground

Short-term training awards

NZAID manages a programme of assistance, totalling $665,000, to the French Pacific Territories.

Short-term training awards are focused towards disadvantaged young indigenous people living in the regions and provinces, and cover English language training, technical courses (e.g. tourism, agriculture, and small business management) and/or work attachments in New Zealand.