Kanaky / New Caledonia’s independence movement - 2018

In 2018, the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia (called ‘Kanaky’ by many of its indigenous people) held a historic independence referendum — the first of three to decide whether the islands would remain under French rule. The referendum, held on November 4 2018, resulted in 56.4% voting to remain part of France, highlighting the deep divisions within the community around the decolonisation process — divisions that continue to play out today. Some of my reporting was featured in the Washington Post, ABC, and The Guardian.