Calming waters close over the Rainbow Warrior

NOUMEA - Twenty years ago Phil Goff was a young Cabinet minister in a Labour Government about to be rocked by the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour.

The July 1985 sinking of the Greenpeace anti-nuclear flagship, for which the French Government eventually admitted responsibility, seriously strained relations between the two countries.

The yacht Ouvea had carried three French Navy combat divers from New Caledonia to a remote harbour in New Zealand's Far North in June 1985. After the bombing, the yacht was reported to have sailed back to Noumea but never arrived. Presumably it was scuttled at sea.

In New Caledonia this week, Mr Goff said he was pleased France had retained its place in the Pacific. "We welcome the ongoing presence and commitment of France into the region."

After meeting French High Commissioner Daniel Constantin, Mr Goff said they had celebrated the co-operation between their countries in areas such as cyclone relief and defence. Not only that, but "we look forward to greater co-operation in areas such as fisheries and marine surveillance". They also wanted to address the region's development and security needs.

Mr Goff welcomed progress on the Noumea Accord, under which, he said, a collegial New Caledonian Government allowed people to live in harmony.

The 1998 accord gave New Caledonia an enhanced self-governing status within the French constitution and committed France to transfer responsibility of many areas of government in the next 15 to 20 years.

Mr Goff said the decision of whether to become independent from France was for the people of New Caledonia to make. "They have that choice in a referendum some time between 2014 and 2018."

Some would be aware of the benefits of being part of France had on their living standards.

Mr Constantin said the French Government had made it clear it would abide by whatever decision the people made on independence.