With crystal-clear blue waters, white sand beaches and lush pine forests, New Caledonia seems like a picture-perfect island getaway. However, beneath its stunning facade lies a drastic social divide that has led to widespread poverty and homelessness for the indigenous residents of New Caledonia.

Meet the Kanaks

Today, New Caledonia is a French territory made up of dozens of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean, known for its stunning lagoons, abundant nickel reserves and diverse wildlife. But centuries before the first tourists came to explore its vibrant coastlines and reefs, Kanaks inhabited the nation.

The Kanaks are an indigenous group with customs deeply rooted in Melanesian culture. The early Kanak lifestyle largely revolved around tribal relations and farming the land, commonly harvesting native crops such as bananas, yams and sweet potatoes. However, European settlers, who first arrived in the late 18th century and increased significantly during the nickel boom of the 1960s, disrupted their peaceful existence.

Life for the c

Within a period of less than 200 years, the Kanak saw their land being taken away and opportunities for economic development severely limited. Homelessness in New Caledonia, particularly for indigenous groups like the Kanak, increased exponentially due to bias from European settlers. Examples of this discriminatory behavior include the French government barring the Kanaks from living in the capital city of Nouméa and denying them government roles in favor of their French counterparts.

Over time, unfair laws like these decreased quality of life for the Kanaks. While the Kanak are the largest ethnic group in New Caledonia, European migrants own approximately two-thirds of the land. Additionally, the poverty rate among indigenous Kanaks is 32.5%, which is nearly four times higher than that of non-Kanak people, as reported by Swissinfo, a Switzerland-based international news corporation.

Homelessness Among the Kanaks

While there is not an exact number for the rate of homelessness in New Caledonia, it presents a pressing issue for countless modern-day Kanaks. According to Le Monde Diplomatique, a French political newspaper, close to 10,000 Kanaks currently live in “squats” in the city of Noúmea, which are crude huts that lack water and electricity.

 In rural villages, where the majority of Kanaks live, housing is similarly lacking. Families often reside in cramped government-subsidized housing or traditional huts, which cultivate a sense of closeness and community as they go about their day-to-day life.

As opposed to city-going Kanaks, who often work laborious service jobs to make a living, rural Kanaks start their day early to fish and harvest crops. After a  communal prayer, which draws from both Catholic and indigenous faith, the family comes together to dine on seafood, root vegetables and tropical fruit. The rest of the day is spent completing essential tasks, with men hunting and fishing and women cleaning and caring for children.

While the rural Kanaks’ daily routine has remained unchanged through centuries of colonization and industrialization, recent events threaten to end their traditional lifestyle. An increase in urban development that prioritizes French citizens over Kanaks is forcing many indigenous citizens into homelessness and poverty, necessitating immediate action.

A Brighter Future 

Homelessness suffered by the indigenous residents of New Caledonia is not going unnoticed. In 2019, politician Milakulo Tukumuli founded the Oceanian Awakening political party, whose goals include providing adequate housing to the squatters in Noúmea and closing the wealth gap between the rich and poor. Since its inception, it has secured three of the 54 seats in the New Caledonian Congress, demonstrating a promising outlook for minority rights in national politics.

As the Oceanian Awakening party continues to gain more influence, the French government is also looking for ways to collaborate with Kanak natives to resolve housing issues. Urban planning experts Céline Cassourret and Irène Salenson suggest that French government officials and Kanak cultural leaders work together to equally redistribute land. By giving Kanaks the territory and funds needed to build adequate housing, the nation can effectively resolve land tenure inequality and eliminate Kanak homelessness.

On a larger scale, action is occurring to secure rights for the Kanak community and other indigenous groups in the Pacific. Mark Brown, the chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), stated that he supports the movement to obtain “greater autonomy and independence” for native New Caledonians. Given the PIF’s role as an influential peacekeeping force for islands in the southwest Pacific, their ongoing support will hopefully encourage nearby territories to advocate for Kanak rights.

Looking Ahead

One can trace homelessness in New Caledonia, particularly in minority groups such as the Kanak, back to colonial-era discrimination and suppression. However, with support from neighboring islands, land redistribution and advocacy for Kanak rights, it is possible to right the wrongs for the indigenous peoples. Reform is on the horizon for the citizens of New Caledonia, and it has the potential to change countless lives for the better.

– Grace Gonzalez

Grace is based in Oakton, VA, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash