Latest news with #MoetaiBrotherson
RNZ News
06-08-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
New Sports and Youth Minister for French Polynesia
French Polynesia's new Sports and Youth Minister Kainuu Temauri was appointed on 30 July 2025. Photo: Présidence de la Polynésie Française French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson cabinet has appointed a new Sports and Youth Minister. Kainuu Temauri, 29, has been appointed to the role less than two years ahead of the 2027 Pacific Games to be hosted by French Polynesia. As part of the latest Cabinet reshuffle announced last week, Temauri will also be in charge of youth crime prevention, as well as arts and crafts. A law graduate, Temauri is described as being experienced in "local administration" and was already an advisor within the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the past two years. His predominant task will be to supervise and coordinate the organisation and preparation for the 2027 Pacific Games. This includes upgrading and building relevant infrastructure to host the key regional event. Temauri replaces Nahema Temarii, who had held the portfolio for the past two years and officially stated she was leaving for "personal reasons". Speaking to local media, Brotherson said last week the Pacific Games were now the priority and that it was Nahema Temarii's decision to leave because she recently mentioned "the weight of (her portfolio) being too heavy for a young mother". "I respect her decision", Brotherson told local media last week. According to the latest available figures, the cost to organise and host the Pacific Games in Tahiti (from 24 July to 8 August 2027) has been estimated at about €100 million, including about €21m taken care of by France. Competitions would mainly take place on the capital island of Tahiti, but also on its "sister" island of Moorea and in Raiatea. Existing infrastructure such as the iconic Pater Stadium in Papeete would be used, but needed to be renovated. The first phases of upgrading and building works started in July 2025 and were expected to be completed and delivered in April 2027.
RNZ News
05-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
French Polynesia, Cook Islands sign air services agreement
Cook Islands and French Polynesia leaders Mark Brown and Moetai Brotherson have signed an agreement on airlinks. 5 August 2025. Photo: Présidence de la Polynésie French Polynesia and the Cook Islands have signed an air services agreement (ASA) aimed at providing a framework for future relations between the two neighboring archipelagos. The agreement was signed between Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson on the margins of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Cook Islands' constitution and status of free association vis-à-vis New Zealand. The document allows both parties to designate carriers to operate regular flights between Papeete and Rarotonga, as well as airlines entering into specific agreements (such as code-sharing). The ASA was signed in presence of Wellington-based French Ambassador Laurence Beau, who is also accredited to the Cook Islands, as the representative of the French State. In a new development in terms of international relations, Brotherson signed the agreement with a mandate from the ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris, under French Polynesia's autonomy status. "This is a first because (this signing) relies on Articles 38 and 39 of our Statute (of Autonomy). I had this delegation from the French Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign as President of French Polynesia", Brotherson explained to Radio 1. Articles 38 and 39 of French Polynesia's autonomy allow its President to negotiate international agreements, provided they respect France's international engagements and that France is kept informed or even invited to the talks. The agreement is then submitted to both French Polynesia's Territorial Assembly and, on France's side, by the relevant legislative authorities. Other key leaders attending the signing ceremony were Air Rarotonga CEO Ewan Smith and French Polynesia's Director of Civil Aviation Marangai Moeroa, Brotherson's office said in a statement. Although French Polynesia and the Cook Islands had already initiated connections at company level earlier this year, the new agreement is wider and more formal as it is a proper international treaty which, Brotherson said, aimed at further integrating French Polynesia into its regional environment while "strengthening regional air connectivity and historical links between our Polynesian peoples". The new agreement also brings new opportunities in terms of regional inter-connectivity and connections, paving the way for what used to be known as the "Coral Link" in the 1950s, which linked Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, the Cook Islands and Tahiti. More recently, a project named FlyCoralWay, spearheaded by Wallisian businessman Louis Alphonse, was launched in 2019 but did not eventuate for lack of investors. But in February 2025, Air Tahiti Nui (ATN) and Air Rarotonga, entered into a new code-sharing and connectivity agreement to better integrate their respective destinations between Papeete, Rarotonga, the United States and France. "Connections between flights and check-in processes will also be made easier from Papeete's Tahiti-Faa'a (PPT) and the Cook Islands' Rarotonga (RAR) international airports," ATN CEO Mathieu Bechonnet said at the time. The Papeete/Rarotonga flights are jointly operated by Air Rarotonga (GZ) and Air Tahiti (VT), at a pace of four return flights per week connecting to ATN flights to and from Papeete. ATN operates up to seven flights per week between Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Papeete (PPT) via Los Angeles (LAX) and up to eleven flights per week between Los Angeles and Tahiti, as well as two flights per week to Seattle. On a more political level, Brotherson is this week in Rarotonga to attend the Cook Islands' constitution's 60th anniversary celebrations. But in Papeete, the flag of the Cook Islands was raised at the President's office to mark its Constitution Day, on 4 August, "as a symbol of respect and shared commemoration".
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls begins first official visit to French Polynesia
Manuel Valls, French Minister of the French Overseas Territories, arrives for his first official visit to French Polynesia. Photo: AFP /Vaikehu Shan French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls landed in French Polynesia on Wednesday (Tuesday local time) for his first official visit to the territory. The one-week visit comes on the heels of the conclusion of a deal with New Caledonia, where the notion of "New Caledonian State" within the French Republic has been mentioned. The deal struck with New Caledonia's politicians has triggered many reactions across French Polynesia's political spectrum. The French Pacific entity is also (since 2013) on the United Nations list of non-sovereign countries to be decolonised. Even though it is highly likely that New Caledonia's developments will be discussed with Valls, the subject is not officially mentioned in the French minister's agenda for this visit. Valls also said earlier this week that he did not see New Caledonia's deal as an instrument to be adapted to other French Pacific countries and territories because, in his view, it was tailored just for New Caledonia and its very specific situation. However, the recent pact with New Caledonia "opens new perspectives", French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson, who belongs to the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party headed by his father-in-law Oscar Temaru, said earlier this week. Since he came to power in May 2023, Brotherson has mentioned the subject on several occasions, urging France to initiate formal talks on the matter. Arriving at Tahiti-Faa'a international airport, Valls was treated with Polynesian dances and garlands. During the seven days of his stay, Valls - who was appointed to the position in December 2024 - is scheduled to travel to several French Polynesia's outer islands and archipelagos. This includes the main island of Tahiti, its sister island of Mooera, but also the Marquesas, Rangiroa or Rurutu (Austral -Southern- islands group). Valls said he intends to discuss a range of topics, including environment and climate change, renewable energy-related projects, infrastructure but also recent announcements and pledges made at the recent French-hosted UNOC (UN Oceans Summit) in Nice (France), or the next Pacific Games to be hosted by French Polynesia in 2027. "It's all very well to declare strongly protected marine areas, but now we need more means to monitor and be able to project ourselves at sea. That's what I'll be pleading (with Valls)", Brotherson told local media earlier this week. One of the topics to be discussed in the coming days is monitoring French Polynesia's huge exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to fight against unreported and illicit fishing and the rising issue of international drug trafficking, increasingly in cooperation with neighbouring powers such as the United States, Australia and New Zealand law enforcement (police, defence, customs) agencies. Just hours before Valls set foot at Tahiti airport, another shipment of a staggering 900kg of cocaine and 180kg of methamphetamines was seized in Nuku Hiva (Marquesas Islands) aboard a transiting sailboat, apparently travelling from Mexico to Australia. French law enforcement authorities have also arrested two men, one Dutch and one German. They are now kept in custody pending further investigation, the local Public Prosecutor's office said in a statement on Wednesday. French Polynesia and other South Pacific Islands are increasingly used by narco-traffickers as transit points on an ocean route linking South America to targeted markets such as Australia. Earlier this year, in the face of an increasing presence and consumption of methamphetamines (dubbed "ice") in French Polynesia now affecting "one in ten" inhabitants, President Moetai Brotherson called for help, saying the issue now required to be made a matter of priority and urgency. Earlier this month, French Polynesia's Territorial Assembly (parliament) unanimously backed a motion to fight against the addictive drug, with an available budget of around two million Euros. Another narcotics-related project currently mooted would be to set up a sniffer dogs training centre, with French assistance. Brotherson said he also intended to raise the subject of the medical consequences of French nuclear tests in French Polynesia between 1966 and 1996. A report compiled by French Polynesia's MP in the French National Assembly, Mereana Reid-Arbelot, recommended that the consequences of these nuclear tests and its related illnesses within the population (especially cancers) should be recognised and the list of nuclear-related diseases eligible for compensations should be extended. The report also recommends that France should formally apologise to French Polynesia for conducting those tests in the atolls of Moruroa and Fangataufa. Speaking mid-May, before a French National Assembly Commission of Enquiry on the consequences of French nuclear tests, Valls said he was in favour of a larger list of eligible nuclear-related diseases, but an official apology could only come from French President Emmanuel Macron. "France owes its nuclear power to Polynesians and French Polynesia", Valls told the Commission, saying there was a "need for recognition" of this, based on "historical, political and moral" factors. One of the projects related to this "duty of memory" was a "Pu Mehara" Memorial to be funded by France for the sake of future generations. According to its latest report released in May 2025, French transfers in French Polynesia have totalled 1.86 billion Euros for 2024, about one third of French Polynesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls begins first offifical visit to French Polynesia
Manuel Valls, French Minister of the French Overseas Territories, arrives for his first official visit to French Polynesia. Photo: AFP /Vaikehu Shan French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls landed in French Polynesia on Wednesday (Tuesday local time) for his first official visit to the territory. The one-week visit comes on the heels of the conclusion of a deal with New Caledonia, where the notion of "New Caledonian State" within the French Republic has been mentioned. The deal struck with New Caledonia's politicians has triggered many reactions across French Polynesia's political spectrum. The French Pacific entity is also (since 2013) on the United Nations list of non-sovereign countries to be decolonised. Even though it is highly likely that New Caledonia's developments will be discussed with Valls, the subject is not officially mentioned in the French minister's agenda for this visit. Valls also said earlier this week that he did not see New Caledonia's deal as an instrument to be adapted to other French Pacific countries and territories because, in his view, it was tailored just for New Caledonia and its very specific situation. However, the recent pact with New Caledonia "opens new perspectives", French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson, who belongs to the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party headed by his father-in-law Oscar Temaru, said earlier this week. Since he came to power in May 2023, Brotherson has mentioned the subject on several occasions, urging France to initiate formal talks on the matter. Arriving at Tahiti-Faa'a international airport, Valls was treated with Polynesian dances and garlands. During the seven days of his stay, Valls - who was appointed to the position in December 2024 - is scheduled to travel to several French Polynesia's outer islands and archipelagos. This includes the main island of Tahiti, its sister island of Mooera, but also the Marquesas, Rangiroa or Rurutu (Austral -Southern- islands group). Valls said he intends to discuss a range of topics, including environment and climate change, renewable energy-related projects, infrastructure but also recent announcements and pledges made at the recent French-hosted UNOC (UN Oceans Summit) in Nice (France), or the next Pacific Games to be hosted by French Polynesia in 2027. "It's all very well to declare strongly protected marine areas, but now we need more means to monitor and be able to project ourselves at sea. That's what I'll be pleading (with Valls)", Brotherson told local media earlier this week. One of the topics to be discussed in the coming days is monitoring French Polynesia's huge exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to fight against unreported and illicit fishing and the rising issue of international drug trafficking, increasingly in cooperation with neighbouring powers such as the United States, Australia and New Zealand law enforcement (police, defence, customs) agencies. Just hours before Valls set foot at Tahiti airport, another shipment of a staggering 900kg of cocaine and 180kg of methamphetamines was seized in Nuku Hiva (Marquesas Islands) aboard a transiting sailboat, apparently travelling from Mexico to Australia. French law enforcement authorities have also arrested two men, one Dutch and one German. They are now kept in custody pending further investigation, the local Public Prosecutor's office said in a statement on Wednesday. French Polynesia and other South Pacific Islands are increasingly used by narco-traffickers as transit points on an ocean route linking South America to targeted markets such as Australia. Earlier this year, in the face of an increasing presence and consumption of methamphetamines (dubbed "ice") in French Polynesia now affecting "one in ten" inhabitants, President Moetai Brotherson called for help, saying the issue now required to be made a matter of priority and urgency. Earlier this month, French Polynesia's Territorial Assembly (parliament) unanimously backed a motion to fight against the addictive drug, with an available budget of around two million Euros. Another narcotics-related project currently mooted would be to set up a sniffer dogs training centre, with French assistance. Brotherson said he also intended to raise the subject of the medical consequences of French nuclear tests in French Polynesia between 1966 and 1996. A report compiled by French Polynesia's MP in the French National Assembly, Mereana Reid-Arbelot, recommended that the consequences of these nuclear tests and its related illnesses within the population (especially cancers) should be recognised and the list of nuclear-related diseases eligible for compensations should be extended. The report also recommends that France should formally apologise to French Polynesia for conducting those tests in the atolls of Moruroa and Fangataufa. Speaking mid-May, before a French National Assembly Commission of Enquiry on the consequences of French nuclear tests, Valls said he was in favour of a larger list of eligible nuclear-related diseases, but an official apology could only come from French President Emmanuel Macron. "France owes its nuclear power to Polynesians and French Polynesia", Valls told the Commission, saying there was a "need for recognition" of this, based on "historical, political and moral" factors. One of the projects related to this "duty of memory" was a "Pu Mehara" Memorial to be funded by France for the sake of future generations. According to its latest report released in May 2025, French transfers in French Polynesia have totalled 1.86 billion Euros for 2024, about one third of French Polynesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
RNZ News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Cook Islands announces protection zone for migrating Oceania humpback whales
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown arrives at Tuurangawaewae Marae Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown has announced the creation of a zone to protect the migratory corridors of the endangered Oceania humpback whale. Brown made the announcement at the UN Oceans Conference in Nice, France . "We can apply our traditional Ra'ui practice at ocean scale," Brown told the conference. "Spanning over 400,000 square kilometres, this zone will adapt with the seasons and respond to emerging threats. Its purpose is not only conservation; it is recovery." The Cook Islands set up Marae Moana in 2017 . Brown said Ra'ui To'ora reflects a growing global truth that traditional knowledge and science can work together to shape powerful solutions. "With regional cooperation, this could become the foundation of the Pacific's first transboundary whale corridor. "To support this, we are further exploring the establishment of the Institute of Blue Ocean Sustainability and Science, a national initiative to advance ocean governance, foster applied research, and strengthen partnerships across government, academia, industry, and traditional leadership. "These are not radical ideas; they are overdue. This is sovereignty matched with stewardship." Also, at the Ocean Conference, Tuvalu prime minister Feleti Teo has called for an international treaty on sea level rise . Before the conference, French Polynesia's president, Moetai Brotherson, announced his administration's plan to establish a network of highly protected marine areas (MPAs). The conference wraps up on Friday, Nice time.
