Editing New Caledonia (section)

== Politics ==
{{main|Politics of New Caledonia}}New Caledonia is a [[sui generis collectivity|territory]] [[Sui generis#Politics and society|''sui generis'']] to which France has gradually transferred certain powers.<ref name="jc"/> As such its citizens have [[French nationality law|French nationality]] and vote for the [[president of France]]. They have the right to vote in elections to the [[European Parliament]]. It is governed by a 54-member [[Congress of New Caledonia|Territorial Congress]], a legislative body composed of members of three provincial assemblies.<ref name="undcol"/> The French State is represented in the territory by a [[Colonial and Departmental Heads of New Caledonia|High Commissioner]].<ref name="undcol"/> At a national level, New Caledonia is represented in the [[French Parliament]] by two deputies and two senators.<ref name="anom">{{cite web |url=http://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/site/Simplifiez-vous-l-Etat/Elections/Les-differentes-elections/Les-differentes-elections |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111063921/http://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/site/Simplifiez-vous-l-Etat/Elections/Les-differentes-elections/Les-differentes-elections |archive-date=2011-11-11 |title=Les différentes élections |language=fr |website=Nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr |date=2011-05-27 |access-date=2013-01-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At the [[2012 French presidential election]], the [[voter turnout]] in New Caledonia was 61.19%.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2012/000/988/index.html| title=Resultats de l'election presidentielle – Nouvelle Caledonie| publisher=[[Cabinet of France|Government of France]]| website=[[Minister of the Interior (France)|Minister of the Interior]]| language=fr| access-date=2012-08-06| archive-date=26 June 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626023248/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2012/000/988/index.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

For 25 years, the party system in New Caledonia was dominated by the anti-independence [[The Rally–UMP]].<ref name="undcol"/> This dominance ended with the emergence of a new party, [[Avenir Ensemble]], also opposed to independence, but considered more open to dialogue with the Kanak movement,<ref name="undcol"/> which is part of the [[Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front]], a coalition of several pro-independence groups.<ref name="undcol"/> In January 2025, [[Alcide Ponga]] was sworn in as [[President of the Government of New Caledonia]], forming a new government following the collapse of the pro-independence government led by [[Louis Mapou]]. His leadership has been described as bringing stability following the [[2024 New Caledonia unrest|2024 unrest]] and a continuation for the country to remain within the [[France|French Republic]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Mazzoni |first=Julien |date=2025-01-09 |title=New Caledonia Congress elects pro-France president after political crisis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/09/new-caledonia-congress-elects-alcide-ponga-president |access-date=2025-04-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

=== Customary authority ===
Kanak society has several layers of customary authority, from the 4,000–5,000 family-based clans to the eight customary areas ({{lang|fr|aires coutumières}}) that make up the territory.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}} Clans are led by clan chiefs and constitute 341 tribes, each headed by a tribal chief. The tribes are further grouped into 57 customary chiefdoms ({{lang|fr|chefferies}}), each headed by a head chief, and forming the administrative subdivisions of the customary areas.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}}
[[File:US Navy 090925-N-8721D-037 Capt. Thom Burke, commanding officer of the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) receives a wreath to lay at the U.S. war memorial during a ceremony.jpg|thumb|[[Jean Lèques]] during a ceremony honouring U.S. service members who helped ensure the freedom of New Caledonia during World War II ]]
The Customary Senate is the assembly of the various traditional councils of the Kanaks, and has jurisdiction over the law proposals concerning the Kanak identity.<ref name="cs-fra"/> The Customary Senate is composed of 16 members appointed by each traditional council, with two representatives per customary area.<ref name="cs-fra"/> In its advisory role, the Customary Senate must be consulted on law proposals "concerning the Kanak identity" as defined in the Nouméa Accord.<ref name="cs-fra"/> It also has a deliberative role on law proposals that would affect identity, the civil customary statute, and the land system.<ref name="cs-fra"/> A new president is appointed each year in August or September, and the presidency rotates between the eight customary areas.<ref name="cs-fra">{{cite web |url=http://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/site/La-Nouvelle-Caledonie/Les-Elus/Senat-coutumier |title=Sénat coutumier |language=fr |website=Nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr |access-date=2013-01-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030174915/http://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/site/La-Nouvelle-Caledonie/Les-Elus/Senat-coutumier |archive-date=30 October 2012 }}</ref>

Kanak people have recourse to customary authorities regarding civil matters such as marriage, adoption, inheritance, and some land issues.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}} The French administration typically respects decisions made in the customary system.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}} However, their jurisdiction is sharply limited in penal matters, as some matters relating to the customary justice system, including the use of [[judicial corporal punishment|corporal punishment]], are seen as clashing with the human rights obligations of France.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}}

===Military and gendarmerie===
The Armed Forces of New Caledonia ({{langx|fr|Forces armées de Nouvelle-Calédonie}}, or {{lang|fr|FANC|italic=no}}) include about 2,000 soldiers, mainly deployed in [[Koumac]], [[Nandaï, New Caledonia|Nandaï]], [[La Tontouta International Airport|Tontouta]], [[Plum, New Caledonia|Plum]], and [[Nouméa]].<ref name="fanc">{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/forces-prepositionnees/nouvelle-caledonie/dossier/les-forces-armees-de-nouvelle-caledonie |title=Les Forces armées de Nouvelle-Calédonie |language=fr |website=Defense.gouv.fr |date=2012-12-20 |access-date=2013-01-30 |archive-date=9 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109131917/http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/forces-prepositionnees/nouvelle-caledonie/dossier/les-forces-armees-de-nouvelle-caledonie |url-status=live }}</ref> The land forces consist of a regiment of the {{lang|fr|[[Troupes de marine]]}}, the {{lang|fr|Régiment d'infanterie de marine du Pacifique}}. About 80 percent of the 700-member regiment is composed of soldiers on short-term (four month) deployments from metropolitan France. As of 2018, only about 30 personnel in the regiment were locally recruited.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.opex360.com/2018/09/19/regiment-dinfanterie-de-marine-pacifique-nouvelle-caledonie-se-distingue-lors-dun-exercice-australie/ |title=Le Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine du Pacifique-Nouvelle Calédonie se distingue lors d'un exercice en Australie; Zone Militaire |last=Lagneau |first=Laurent |date=19 September 2018 |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212160931/https://www.opex360.com/2018/09/19/regiment-dinfanterie-de-marine-pacifique-nouvelle-caledonie-se-distingue-lors-dun-exercice-australie/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The naval forces incorporate several vessels of the French Navy including: one {{sclass|Floréal|frigate|1}}, {{ship|French frigate|Vendémiaire||2}}, the patrol and support vessel {{lang|fr|[[D'Entrecasteaux-class patrol ship|D'Entrecasteaux]]}} and {{lang|fr|Auguste Benebig}}, the lead ship of the [[Patrouilleur Outre-mer|{{lang|fr|Félix Éboué|nocat=y}} class]] of patrol vessels. One EDA-S landing craft (''Sabre'') is also deployed to support operations in the territory.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://voixducaillou.nc/2025/01/23/la-marine-accueillera-prochainement-un-nouveau-bateau/ |title=La Marine accueillera prochainement un nouveau bateau |date=23 January 2025 |access-date=6 April 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/11/first-two-eda-s-next-gen-amphibious-landing-crafts-delivered-to-french-dga/ |title=First Two EDA-S Next Gen Amphibious Landing Craft Delivered to French DGA |date=25 November 2021 |access-date=10 December 2021 |archive-date=26 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126153129/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/11/first-two-eda-s-next-gen-amphibious-landing-crafts-delivered-to-french-dga/ |url-status=live }}</ref>The French Navy will further reinforce its offshore patrol capabilities in New Caledonia by deploying a second vessel of the {{lang|fr|Félix Éboué}} class ({{lang|fr|Jean Tranape}}) to the territory by 2026.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/actualites/prise-darmement-essais-du-patrouilleur-outre-mer-jean-tranape |title=Prise d’armement pour essais du patrouilleur outre-mer Jean Tranape |work=French Navy |date=5 March 2025 |access-date=31 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/new-french-overseas-patrol-vessels-set-for-2023-service-entry/ |title=New French overseas patrol vessels set for 2023 service entry |work=Shepherd |last=Tanguy |first=Jean-Marc |date=4 August 2022 |access-date=30 December 2022 |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121132746/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/new-french-overseas-patrol-vessels-set-for-2023-service-entry/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="brestboulogne">{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/pom-le-premier-patrouilleur-reprend-ses-essais-a-brest-le-second-en-achevement-a-boulogne |title=POM : Le premier patrouilleur reprend ses essais à Brest, le second en achèvement à Boulogne |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=21 September 2022 |access-date=3 November 2022 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922152111/https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/pom-le-premier-patrouilleur-reprend-ses-essais-a-brest-le-second-en-achevement-a-boulogne |url-status=live }}</ref> 

As of the latter 2010s, French naval aviation and air force elements in New Caledonia included two Navy [[Dassault Falcon 20|Falcon 200 Gardian maritime surveillance aircraft]] (drawn from Flotilla 25F), which are to be replaced by the more modern [[Dassault Falcon 2000|Falcon 2000 Albatros]] starting in 2025/26,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/les-avions-de-surveillance-maritime-gardian-prolonges-a-tahiti-et-noumea |title=Les avions de surveillance maritime Gardian prolongés à Tahiti et Nouméa |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |website=Mer et Marine |language=fr |date=13 December 2024 |access-date=13 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=French Navy to receive new eyes in the sky from Dassault |url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/26468-french-navy-to-receive-new-eyes-in-the-sky-from-dassault |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=www.aerotime.aero |date=19 November 2020 |archive-date=13 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113213457/https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/26468-french-navy-to-receive-new-eyes-in-the-sky-from-dassault |url-status=live }}</ref> plus two [[CASA/IPTN CN-235|Casa CN235]] transport aircraft and three [[Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma|Puma]] helicopters from the Air Force's 52 "Tontouta" Squadron.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/monde/asie-pacifique/forces-armees-nouvelle-caledonie |title=Forces armées en Nouvelle-Calédonie; Ministère des Armées |access-date=11 February 2023 |archive-date=5 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105110702/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/monde/asie-pacifique/forces-armees-nouvelle-caledonie |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/fanc-bilan-du-deploiement-du-bsaom-dentrecasteaux-pacifique-sud |title=FANC – Bilan du déploiement du BSAOM D'Entrecasteaux dans le Pacifique Sud; Ministère des Armées |date=10 February 2023 |access-date=11 February 2023 |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211120443/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/fanc-bilan-du-deploiement-du-bsaom-dentrecasteaux-pacifique-sud |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to 2022, the frigate {{lang|fr|Vendémiaire}} operated the [[Aérospatiale Alouette III|Alouette III helicopter]]. However, with the retirement of the type in 2022, it is being replaced by the [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|Eurocopter Dauphin N3]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=French Navy will receive first three Airbus Dauphin N3 at December 1 |url=https://aircosmosinternational.com/article/french-navy-will-receive-first-three-airbus-dauphin-n3-at-december-1-3005 |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=Air & Cosmos |language=fr |archive-date=13 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113231455/https://aircosmosinternational.com/article/french-navy-will-receive-first-three-airbus-dauphin-n3-at-december-1-3005 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Marine Nationale Dossier d'Information, p. 23 |url=https://www.colsbleus.fr/sites/default/files/2023-02/DIM%202023_PLANCHE_0.pdf |date=January 2023 |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=Cols Bleus |language=fr |archive-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304112422/https://www.colsbleus.fr/sites/default/files/2023-02/DIM%202023_PLANCHE_0.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, the [[French Air Force]] demonstrated a capacity to reinforce the territory by deploying three [[Dassault Rafale|Rafale]] fighters, supported by [[Airbus A400M Atlas|A400M]] transport aircraft and [[Airbus A330 MRTT|A330 MRTT Phénix]] tankers, from France to New Caledonia for a three-week exercise.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-08-27 |title=French Air and Space Force Rafales Train Alongside Royal Australian Air Force Growlers |url=https://militaryleak.com/2022/08/27/french-air-and-space-force-rafales-train-alongside-royal-australian-air-force-growlers/ |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=MilitaryLeak |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114105036/https://militaryleak.com/2022/08/27/french-air-and-space-force-rafales-train-alongside-royal-australian-air-force-growlers/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=France successfully conducts long-range strategic deployment to Asian-Pacific region |url=https://ac.nato.int/archive/2022/FRA_deploy_PB22-2 |access-date=28 December 2023 |website=ac.nato.int |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203040915/https://ac.nato.int/archive/2022/FRA_deploy_PB22-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition, some 855 personnel from the [[National Gendarmerie]] are stationed on the archipelago, divided into 4 companies, 27 brigades and several specialized, and mobile Gendarmerie units. During periods such the 2021 referendum on independence, these forces have been significantly reinforced with personnel deployed from metropolitan France.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Julien |last=Sartre |date=2021-12-07 |title=Covid, mourning and the spectre of violence: New Caledonia prepares for blighted independence vote |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/08/covid-mourning-and-the-fear-of-violence-new-caledonia-prepares-for-blighted-independence-vote |access-date=2022-11-18 |work=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref> The air component includes two {{lang|fr|[[Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil|Écureuil]]|italic=no}} helicopters<ref>{{Cite web |title=COMGEND – Commandant de la gendarmerie pour la Nouvelle-Calédonie et les îles Wallis et Futuna / Sécurité / Services de l'État / Accueil – Les services de l'État en Nouvelle-Calédonie |url=https://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/Services-de-l-Etat/Securite/COMGEND-Commandant-de-la-gendarmerie-pour-la-Nouvelle-Caledonie-et-les-iles-Wallis-et-Futuna |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107121810/https://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/Services-de-l-Etat/Securite/COMGEND-Commandant-de-la-gendarmerie-pour-la-Nouvelle-Caledonie-et-les-iles-Wallis-et-Futuna |url-status=live }}</ref> while the {{lang|fr|[[Maritime Gendarmerie]]|italic=no}} deploys the patrol boat [[Vedette côtière de surveillance maritime|''Dumbea'']] in the territory.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.homelandsecurity-technology.com/projects/vedette-cotiere-de-surveillance-maritime-boats/ |title=Vedette Côtière de Surveillance Maritime (VCSM) Boats |publisher=Homelandsecurity Technology |date= |accessdate=2022-08-28 |archive-date=7 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207152543/https://www.homelandsecurity-technology.com/projects/vedette-cotiere-de-surveillance-maritime-boats/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fanc"/>

=== Status ===
{{Further|Foreign relations of New Caledonia}}
New Caledonia has been a member of the [[Pacific Community]] since 1983 with Nouméa the home of the organization's regional headquarters. Since 1986, the [[United Nations Committee on Decolonization]] has included New Caledonia on the [[United Nations list of non-self-governing territories]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/en/decolonization/nonselfgov.shtml#1 |title=Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories (1945–1999) |publisher=[[United Nations]] |access-date=29 June 2017 |archive-date=6 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006064439/http://www.un.org/en/decolonization/nonselfgov.shtml#1 |url-status=live }}</ref> An [[1987 New Caledonian independence referendum|independence referendum]] was held the following year, but independence was rejected by a large majority.[[File:Administrative divisions of New Caledonia.svg|thumb|upright=1.2|Pyramid graph illustrating the administration of New Caledonia]]

Under the [[Nouméa Accord]], signed in 1998 following a period of secessionist unrest in the 1980s and approved in [[1998 New Caledonian Nouméa Accord referendum|a referendum]], New Caledonia was granted special status. Twenty years after inception, the Nouméa Accord required an [[2018 New Caledonian independence referendum|referendum on independence]] which was held on 4 November 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/19/new-caledonia-sets-date-independence-referendum-france|title=New Caledonia sets date for independence referendum|website=The Guardian|access-date=20 March 2018|date=19 March 2018|last=Willsher|first=Kim|archive-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025142615/https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/19/new-caledonia-sets-date-independence-referendum-france|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201787812/paris-meeting-to-prepare-new-caledonia-independence-vote|title=Paris meeting to prepare New Caledonia independence vote|website=Radio New Zealand|access-date=2016-03-08|date=2016-02-02|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308001209/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201787812/paris-meeting-to-prepare-new-caledonia-independence-vote|url-status=live}}</ref> The result was that 56.9% of voters chose to remain with France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/04/new-caledonia-votes-non-to-independence-from-france|title=New Caledonia votes 'non' to independence from France|agency=Reuters|date=2018-11-04|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=6 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206051007/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/04/new-caledonia-votes-non-to-independence-from-france|url-status=live}}</ref> The Nouméa Accord required [[2020 New Caledonian independence referendum|another independence referendum]], which was held on 4 October 2020. The result was that 53.26% of voters chose to remain with France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/04/new-caledonia-rejects-independence-from-france-for-second-time|title=New Caledonia rejects independence from France for second time|date=2020-10-05|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2020-10-05|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420065852/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/04/new-caledonia-rejects-independence-from-france-for-second-time|url-status=live}}</ref> The third and last referendum permitted by the Nouméa Accord [[2021 New Caledonian independence referendum|was held on 12 December 2021]], confirming New Caledonia as part of the French Republic with 96% voting "no" to independence after the vote was boycotted by the bulk of the Kanak population.

The official name of the territory, {{lang|fr|Nouvelle-Calédonie}}, could be changed in the near future due to the accord, which states that "a name, a flag, an anthem, a motto, and the design of banknotes will have to be sought by all parties together, to express the Kanak identity and the future shared by all parties."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gouv.nc/static/pages/outils/telechargement/accordsNoumea.pdf| title=Les accords de Nouméa|author=Government of New Caledonia| access-date=11 August 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080405032022/http://www.gouv.nc/static/pages/outils/telechargement/accordsNoumea.pdf |archive-date = 5 April 2008 |language=fr |author-link=Government of New Caledonia}}</ref> To date, however, there has been no consensus on a new name for the territory, although ''Kanak Republic'' is popular among 40% of the population.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nouvellecaledonie.rfo.fr/article424.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627221108/http://nouvellecaledonie.rfo.fr/article424.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=27 June 2008| title=Société : La Nouvelle-Calédonie choisit un hymne et une devise| author=RFO| access-date=11 August 2008| author-link=Réseau France Outre-mer}}</ref> New Caledonia has increasingly adopted its own symbols, choosing an anthem, a motto, and a new design for its banknotes.<ref name="monde1" /> In July 2010, the [[Congress of New Caledonia]] voted in favour of a wish to fly the [[Kanak people|Kanak]] flag of the independence movement [[Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front|FLNKS]] alongside the [[Flag of France|French tricolour]], as [[Flag of New Caledonia|dual flags of the territory]]. The wish, legally non-binding, proved controversial.<ref name="congress">{{cite web|url=http://www.axl.cefan.ulaval.ca/pacifique/ncal-voeu-drapeau2010.htm|title=Nouvelle-Calédonie: Voeu sur le drapeau Kanaky de 2010|website=axl.cefan.ulaval.ca|access-date=26 November 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023193014/http://www.axl.cefan.ulaval.ca/pacifique/ncal-voeu-drapeau2010.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="voeux">{{cite web| url = http://www.juridoc.gouv.nc/JuriDoc/jdJ201.nsf/JoncP/2010-06341/$File/2010-6341.pdf?OpenElement&root=2010&page=6341| title = Voeux n° 1 du treize juillet 2010| access-date = 26 November 2021| archive-date = 17 April 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210417013852/https://juridoc.gouv.nc/JuriDoc/jdJ201.nsf/JoncP/2010-06341/$File/2010-6341.pdf?OpenElement&root=2010&page=6341| url-status = live}}</ref> A majority of New Caledonian communes, but not all, now fly both flags, the rest flying only the French Tricolour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/nouvellecaledonie/2014/05/09/roch-wamytan-descendre-le-drapeau-kanak-est-un-geste-ignoble-il-ne-faut-plus-parler-de-destin-commun-150319.html|title=Roch Wamytan: "descendre le drapeau kanak est un geste ignoble, il ne faut plus parler de destin commun!"|website=Nouvelle-Calédonie la 1ère|date=9 May 2014 |access-date=26 November 2021|archive-date=26 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126140755/https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/nouvellecaledonie/2014/05/09/roch-wamytan-descendre-le-drapeau-kanak-est-un-geste-ignoble-il-ne-faut-plus-parler-de-destin-commun-150319.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The non-official adoption made New Caledonia one of the few countries or territories in the world with two flags. The decision to wish for the use of two flags has been a constant battleground between the two sides and led the coalition government to collapse in February 2011.<ref name="fr24">{{cite web |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20110826-france-sarkozy-urges-dialogue-over-violence-new-caledonia-airfare-protests |title=Sarkozy calls for dialogue over New Caledonia violence |publisher=France 24 |date=2011-08-26 |access-date=2013-01-30 |archive-date=7 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907145342/http://www.france24.com/en/20110826-france-sarkozy-urges-dialogue-over-violence-new-caledonia-airfare-protests |url-status=live }}</ref>