The French Polynesian President is suggesting Australia and New Zealand should abstain rather than oppose the territory's petition to be re-inscribed on the United Nations decolonisation list.
Oscar Temaru's push to be included on the decolonisation list is opposed by France and Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Temaru, who is attending this week's Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, says the territory's government has the support of the Polynesian Leaders Group and the Melanesian countries.
"Democratically we have the majority, so Australia and New Zealand should abide you know. Maybe not go against it, abstain -that's another way."
The French Polynesian President Oscar Temaru.
