Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has decided to cancel his visit to Noumea, New Caledonia scheduled to take place on Thursday.
The decision to cancel came after New Caledonian authorities announced a mass security mobilisation and a curfew in Noumea following days of rioting and looting by protestors angry at a proposal by the French government to amend the constitution.
Peters was in Papua New Guinea this morning en route to Vanuatu when the change was made.
A spokesperson for the minister says, “We are aware of events in New Caledonia, and hope that peace and calm will prevail.
“In discussions with our French and New Caledonian hosts, we have decided to postpone this week’s travel to Nouméa to allow authorities to fully focus on the current situation.
“We look forward to our visits to Vanuatu and Tuvalu, and MFAT & NZDF are working on a revised schedule with host governments.”
Meanwhile International media on the ground described burning vehicles, looting and clashes between demonstrators and the police.
At the entrance to the New Caledonian capital, a large factory, specialising in bottling, was targeted in an arson attack and engulfed by flames on Monday. Several supermarkets were looted in Nouméa, and in the neighbouring towns.
The DPM is leading a delegation of MPs, officials and media on a five-country visit to the Pacific which began in the Solomon Islands on Sunday. Tagata Pasifika presenter John Pulu is part of the delegation which is expected back in the country this weekend.
