The French High Commission in New Caledonia says there was a quick response to yesterday's tsunami warning after the earthquake in Solomon Islands and firefighters report that they were all alerted to the threat.
However, the local newspaper says several sirens appeared to have failed in places like Poindimie, Yate, Canala and Lifou.
It says in Lifou, the siren went off an hour before the quake as the system was tested as it is every first Wednesday of the month.
However, the siren wasn't triggered when the alarm was raised.
One official is quoted as saying people often don't know why the sirens go off.
