28 Mar 2006

New Zealand Green Party urges support for Temaru decolonisation bid

3:38 pm on 28 March 2006

The New Zealand opposition Green Party says New Zealand should insist that French Polynesia be re-inscribed on the UN list of territories to be decolonised.

France allowed for New Caledonia to be be put back on the UN list but is opposed to a bid by the French Polynesia's president, Oscar Temaru, to offer it the UN process of self-determination.

The Green Party's foreign affairs spokesman, Keith Locke, says after New Zealand granted Tokelau a choice, it should now back Mr Temaru.

"We must support his calls for sovereignty and go a bit further and insist that French Polynesia be put on the list of countries of the United Nations for decolonisation."

Keith Locke.

The New Zealand government has declined comment.