French Polynesia's ruling party has sharply criticised an opposition politician, Edouard Fritch, over his stance on same sex marriage.
It has in particular taken issue with Mr Fritch's public comment that such a species doesn't exist in the territory.
The party says it is surprised to learn that there were different species within mankind.
As France is poised to pass a law allowing for same sex marriage, Mr Fritch has said he will lobby Paris to defer its application in Tahiti.
He says there has not been enough debate in French Polynesia and therefore he would like the law to be applied later.
He didn't say for how long he would like the territory to be exempted.
