The path to a vote over Bougainville's independence from Papua New Guinea has been bloody, long and circuitous. A brutal civil war through the Nineties on this group of islands some 700 kilometres east of PNG killed up to 20,000 people: that's 10 percent of its population. And New Zealand had strong ties to the peace deal brokered in 2001.
RNZ Pacific journalist Don Wiseman has been covering events there for 16 years. And his colleague Johnny Blades is on the ground sampling views in the lead up to the historic vote taking place from tomorrow (Saturday).
So- greater autonomy or independence- how will people vote? Are we about to see the formation of the world's newest country? And with a greater degree of autonomy from Papua New Guinea looking likely, how will this impact on geopolitical tensions in the region?
Autonomous Bougainville scrutineers receive scrutineering materials for the referendum. Photo: Supplied.
