New Caledonia's anti-independence Rassemblement-UMP has been angered by the French overseas territories minister, Victorin Lurel, for adding the name Kanaky in his reference to the territory's name.
The party's Gael Yanno, who is Noumea's deputy mayor, says using the term New Caledonia-Kanaky is a provocation.
The minister used the expression after a Paris meeting with the president of New Caledonia's northern province, Paul Neaoutyine.
Mr Yanno says he is warning the Socialist French government that it will fight any unilateral move which goes against New Caledonia remaining part of France.
