AGP Executive Report

UNESCO Watch: French Polynesia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites are under scrutiny after a June 1 report by the Territorial Chamber of Accounts flagged gaps in how Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands are managed and monitored, including outdated visitor panels and weak checks on historical accuracy. Ocean Governance & Culture: On World Ocean Day, French Polynesia is highlighted for conservation-led tourism, with Tainui Ātea described as the world’s largest marine protected area and a model for protecting marine heritage while supporting visitors. Whale Rights Lawmaking: The Moananui Sanctuary Trust released two model sets of whale-protection laws for Pacific public consultation, framing whales as kin and pushing for legal rights and ocean guardianship rooted in Indigenous tradition. Sustainable Hospitality: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete received Green Globe certification, spotlighting its partnership with OceanIA and a solar-powered observation platform blending conservation, education, and innovation. Travel Links: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare from June 3, letting travelers book one ticket for international flights plus inter-island connections to places like Bora Bora and Rarotonga. Regional Decolonisation: Pacific leaders renewed calls that decolonisation is still unfinished decades after nuclear testing, linking nuclear legacies to self-determination and resistance across the region. Marine Protection Push: A global ocean-protection roundup points to French Polynesia’s Tainui Ātea and the UN high seas treaty as key steps toward the “30 by 30” goal—while stressing that announcements must turn into real protection.

Air Travel & Connectivity: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti have activated their codeshare, letting passengers book one ticket for international flights plus inter-island hops to Bora Bora and beyond. Sustainability in Hospitality: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete earned Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and a solar-powered observation platform for marine conservation and education. Ocean Rights & Law: The Moananui Sanctuary Trust released two model whale-protection legal frameworks for public consultation, blending Pacific traditions with modern rights-based approaches. Marine Protection & Tourism: A World Ocean Day piece spotlights French Polynesia’s conservation-led tourism model, pointing to the scale of Tainui Ātea and local Indigenous knowledge shaping protection. Heritage Oversight: A June 1 report by the Territorial Chamber of Accounts flags management gaps at UNESCO sites Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands, including outdated visitor info and weak monitoring. Culture & Sport: Cook Islands paddler Reuben Dearlove won Masters Men 50 at Te Aito 2026 in Tahiti, adding another milestone to his va’a career. Decolonisation & Nuclear Legacy: Pacific leaders say decolonisation is still unfinished decades after nuclear testing, linking environmental harm to sovereignty and resistance.

Indigenous Voices vs Seabed Mining: Pacific Indigenous communities are pushing back on deep-sea mining, framing it as a sovereignty and self-determination issue—not just an environmental one—after major momentum in the region, including New Caledonia’s 50-year commercial seabed mining ban. Ocean Rights for Whales: The Moananui Sanctuary Trust has released two model whale-protection law drafts for public consultation, inspired by Pacific traditions that treat whales as kin and navigators, blending Indigenous knowledge with modern science. Green Tourism in Tahiti: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete has earned Green Globe certification through its partnership with OceanIA, linking marine conservation with education and an autonomous solar-powered observation platform. World Ocean Day, Local Conservation: French Polynesia is highlighted for merging conservation and tourism, with its marine protections and Marine Protected Areas presented as a model for sustainable visitor experiences. Air Travel Made Easier: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti launched an activated codeshare, letting travelers book one ticket for international flights plus inter-island connections across the Islands of Tahiti. Heritage Watchdog: A June 1 report by the Territorial Chamber of Accounts flags management gaps at UNESCO sites Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands, citing weak monitoring and outdated visitor information. Culture & Lifestyle Beyond the Lagoon: A global roundup also spotlights remote Pacific-linked travel stories and luxury travel trends toward rest and quiet.

Sustainable Hospitality: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete has earned its inaugural Green Globe certification, partnering with local marine NGO OceanIA on conservation, education, and tech—highlighted by an autonomous solar-powered observation platform using cameras and AI. Whale Rights & Ocean Guardianship: The Moananui Sanctuary Trust has released two model whale-protection legal frameworks for public consultation across the Pacific, drawing on Pacific traditions that treat whales as kin and combining Indigenous knowledge with modern science. Tourism Access for the Islands of Tahiti: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti have activated a codeshare from June 3, letting travelers book one ticket for international flights plus inter-island hops to destinations like Bora Bora. UNESCO Heritage Oversight: A June 1 report by French Polynesia’s Territorial Chamber of Accounts says management and monitoring for Taputapuatea marae (Raiatea) and the Marquesas Islands fall short of long-term UNESCO obligations. Ocean Day Conservation Focus: World Ocean Day coverage spotlights how French Polynesia’s marine protections and Marine Protected Areas—rooted in local Indigenous knowledge—support both biodiversity and sustainable tourism. Regional Decolonisation Debate: Pacific leaders renew calls that decolonisation is still unfinished decades after nuclear testing, linking nuclear legacies to self-determination and community survival.

Whale Protection Lawmaking: The Moananui Sanctuary Trust has released two draft model laws for public consultation, aiming to strengthen whale rights and ocean guardianship across the Pacific, backed by a petition of 450,000+ signatures and grounded in the idea of whales as “kin” in Indigenous tradition alongside modern science. Ocean Conservation & Tourism: On World Ocean Day, French Polynesia is highlighted for pairing conservation with visitor appeal, including its large marine protection approach and the message that “our ocean is our identity.” UNESCO Oversight: The Court of Auditors flags management gaps at French Polynesia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, saying monitoring and visitor information for Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands need improvement. Travel Links for Outlying Islands: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti have activated a codeshare from June 3, letting travelers book one ticket for international flights plus inter-island connections to places like Bora Bora. Regional Decolonisation Debate: Pacific leaders renew calls that decolonisation is still unfinished decades after nuclear testing, tying nuclear legacies to self-determination and resistance. Inter-Island Sports Spotlight: Cook Islands paddler Reuben Dearlove wins the Masters Men 50 division at Te Aito 2026 in Tahiti, adding another milestone to his va’a career. Emergency Evacuation Costs: The US spent $750,000 to charter a yacht to evacuate an American linked to a hantavirus cruise case that traveled via Tahiti to Pitcairn, adding pressure to the State Department’s emergency budget.

Aviation & Tourism: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti have activated their codeshare deal, letting travelers book one ticket for international flights plus inter-island hops across Bora Bora and beyond, with smoother connections from June 3, 2026. Culture & Heritage Oversight: The French Polynesia Court of Auditors says management of UNESCO World Heritage sites is falling short, flagging weak monitoring and outdated visitor information for Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands. Ocean Conservation & Lifestyle: World Ocean Day coverage spotlights French Polynesia’s marine protection model, including the Tainui Ātea marine protected area and the push to keep conservation and tourism aligned. Regional Decolonisation Debate: Pacific leaders renew calls that decolonisation is still unfinished decades after nuclear testing, with speakers linking the nuclear legacy to resistance, self-determination, and unresolved harms. Sports (Va’a): Cook Islands paddler Reuben Dearlove wins the Masters Men 50 division at Te Aito 2026 in Tahiti, adding another international title to his va’a record. Global Travel Links: Fiji Airways plans to restart direct Fiji–New Caledonia flights from September 22, aiming to boost travel and regional connections. Geopolitics (Culture & Identity): A Ben Bohane special report revisits the contested “Matthew and Hunter” islands—known in kastom as Umaenupne and Umaeneg—highlighting how sovereignty disputes can ripple across the Pacific. Arts Recognition: Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum in Doha is named among TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2026, underscoring the museum’s cultural impact.

Va’a & Community Sports: Cook Islands paddler Reuben Dearlove wins Masters Men 50 at Te Aito 2026 in Tahiti, finishing first in his division and placing top 10 overall in a field of 200+ across MM40, MM50 and Para Va’a. World Ocean Day & Marine Protection: French Polynesia is highlighted as a model for pairing conservation with tourism, pointing to local Indigenous knowledge behind Marine Protected Areas and bans on seabed exploitation and shark fishing. Ocean Policy & Implementation: A broader World Ocean Day focus notes that progress like the UN high seas treaty and French Polynesia’s Tainui Ātea (fully safeguarded from extractive activities) only works if protections are actually implemented and sustained. Decolonisation & Nuclear Legacy: Pacific leaders renew calls that decolonisation is still unfinished decades after nuclear testing, linking environmental harm and self-determination to ongoing struggles across the region. Heritage Governance: The French Polynesia Court of Auditors flags management gaps for UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands, warning that recognition brings long-term preservation duties. Regional Connectivity: Fiji Airways announces it will restart direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from 22 September, supporting travel and regional institutional links after the 2024 unrest. Culture & Lifestyle Spotlight: Beyond Green marks World Oceans Day by spotlighting coral reef restoration efforts across its portfolio, including initiatives tied to French Polynesia’s wider ocean-conservation momentum. Sports & Travel Roundup: A Pacific Islands news roundup (May 28–June 3) adds context on regional developments affecting everyday life and movement.

Ocean Conservation & Tourism: On World Ocean Day, French Polynesia is highlighted as a model for pairing marine protection with sustainable travel, with local bans on seabed exploitation and shark fishing and Marine Protected Areas rooted in Indigenous knowledge, including the vast Tainui Ātea marine protected zone. Marine Protection Implementation: A wider push for ocean safeguards is underway as the UN high seas treaty enters into force and French Polynesia expands protections, but the big question now is whether governments, scientists, Indigenous communities, and civil society can turn pledges into lasting enforcement. Decolonisation & Nuclear Legacies: Pacific leaders say decolonisation is still unfinished decades after nuclear testing, pointing to unresolved issues like environmental contamination, self-determination, and who benefits from natural resources, with French Polynesia’s nuclear history tied to broader resistance and survival narratives. UNESCO Heritage Governance: The Court of Auditors flags management gaps for French Polynesia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, especially Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands, citing insufficient monitoring and outdated or inaccurate visitor information. Regional Connectivity: Fiji Airways plans to restore direct Nadi–Nouméa flights in September, aiming to boost travel and strengthen links between French Pacific culture and regional institutions.

Nuclear Justice & Decolonization: Pacific leaders and advocates say unresolved fallout from Cold War nuclear testing still shapes daily life and politics, linking environmental contamination and resource disputes to calls for self-determination—highlighting July anniversaries tied to the Marshall Islands and France’s first test in French Polynesia. Marine Conservation & Tourism: On World Ocean Day, French Polynesia is held up as a model for pairing Indigenous-rooted protection with sustainable visitor experiences, citing major marine safeguards and the identity of the lagoon as a driver for lasting benefits. Coral Reef Action: Beyond Green spotlights coral reef restoration efforts across its network, underscoring how “rainforests of the sea” conservation is becoming central to responsible travel. UNESCO Oversight: The French Polynesia Court of Auditors flags management gaps at UNESCO World Heritage sites, saying Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands need stronger monitoring and updated visitor information. Regional Travel Links: Fiji Airways plans to restart direct Nadi–Nouméa flights in September, aiming to boost travel and regional connectivity after disruptions tied to New Caledonia unrest. Pacific Sovereignty Dispute: A “David vs Goliath” standoff over Matthew and Hunter islands pits Vanuatu’s kastom names against France’s control since 1965, with wider sovereignty concerns now in the spotlight. Pacific Lifestyle & Voyaging: A look at global sailing trends notes French Polynesia’s strong cruising draw, with more yachts choosing safer routes around the Cape than the Suez. Pacific News Roundup: A broad weekly digest covers governance, youth concerns, health, border security, and development across the wider Pacific.

Decolonization & Nuclear Legacy: Pacific leaders and advocates say decolonization is still unfinished decades after nuclear testing, pointing to unresolved environmental contamination and ongoing fights over self-determination and who benefits from natural resources, with French Polynesia among the places tied to major anniversaries. World Ocean Day & Marine Culture: On World Ocean Day, French Polynesia is highlighted for blending conservation with tourism, including its large Marine Protected Area (Tainui Atea) and protections shaped by local Indigenous knowledge. UNESCO Oversight: The French Polynesian Court of Auditors (Territorial Chamber of Accounts) raises concerns about how UNESCO World Heritage sites are managed, citing gaps in monitoring and outdated visitor information at Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands. Regional Travel Links: Fiji Airways plans to restore direct Fiji–New Caledonia flights from 22 September, aiming to boost travel and intergovernmental exchanges across the French Pacific. Coral Reef Action: Beyond Green marks World Oceans Day by spotlighting coral reef restoration and protection efforts across its sustainable travel network, including initiatives connected to French Polynesia.

World Ocean Day & Marine Protection: French Polynesia is being held up as a model for pairing conservation with tourism, highlighting bans on seabed exploitation and shark fishing and Marine Protected Areas built on local Indigenous knowledge, with Tahiti Tourisme stressing that “our ocean is our identity.” UNESCO Oversight: The Court of Auditors (CTC) says management of UNESCO World Heritage sites in French Polynesia—Taputapuatea marae (Raiatea) and the Marquesas Islands—falls short, citing outdated visitor panels, gaps in ensuring historical accuracy, and weak monitoring of management plans. Regional Travel Links: Fiji Airways’ Fiji Link will restart direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from 22 September, twice weekly on ATR 72-600, aiming to serve growing travel and regional organization travel between the two French Pacific destinations. Culture & Lifestyle Roundup: A Pacific Islands News Roundup (May 28–June 3) brings together governance, youth, health, and security updates across the region, including New Caledonia electoral changes and Pacific crime concerns.

World Ocean Day & Marine Protection: Tahiti’s tourism leaders are pointing to conservation as the real draw, highlighting Marine Protected Areas and bans on seabed exploitation and shark fishing as proof that “our ocean is our identity” can boost visitor experiences. Coral Reef Action: Beyond Green is also spotlighting coral reef restoration and protection efforts across its network, with French Polynesia included as part of the push to keep “rainforests of the sea” resilient. UNESCO Heritage Oversight: The Court of Auditors says management of UNESCO World Heritage sites in French Polynesia—especially Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands—falls short on monitoring, with outdated visitor information and gaps in ensuring historical accuracy. Regional Travel Links: Fiji Airways plans to restart direct Nadi–Nouméa flights in September, a sign of renewed inter-island connectivity after disruptions tied to New Caledonia unrest.

UNESCO Oversight: The Court of Auditors says management of French Polynesia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites is falling short, flagging weak monitoring and outdated visitor information at Taputapuatea marae and the Marquesas Islands. Aviation & Mobility: Fiji Airways will restart direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from 22 September, twice weekly on ATR 72-600 aircraft, citing growing regional demand and renewed travel links to French Pacific culture and institutions. Culture & Identity in the Region: A wider debate is resurfacing around contested islands in the Pacific, with Vanuatu framing the dispute as a “David versus Goliath” fight tied to kastom names and sovereignty questions that could ripple beyond the immediate territory. Heritage Tourism Pressure: Visitor numbers and tourism importance are front and center in the UNESCO critique, underscoring how cultural preservation obligations are not being fully met. Travel Trends: South Pacific cruising is getting a boost as operators extend itineraries, with travellers drawn by multi-island experiences and the chance to experience local culture.

UNESCO Oversight: French Polynesia’s Court of Auditors says management and monitoring of UNESCO World Heritage sites—especially Taputapuatea marae (Raiatea) and the Marquesas Islands—fall short of long-term preservation and visitor-information obligations. Ocean Culture & Protection: At Rapa Nui, Te Piri mā’ohi o Te Moana Nui a Hiva brought together voyaging leaders, cultural practitioners, scientists, and governments (including French Polynesia) to strengthen ancestral ties and share high-seas marine conservation practices. Voyaging & Lifestyle: A global look at sailing trends highlights how more yachts are reaching the South Pacific, with French Polynesia recording strong arrival numbers in 2024. Cruise Tourism: Norwegian Cruise Line extends its 2026–2027 South Pacific season with more “close-to-home” itineraries, driven by demand for local culture and easy multi-island trips. Regional Maritime Ties: A Pacific-focused roundup also points to ongoing community and governance discussions across the region, including youth engagement and development priorities.

UNESCO Oversight: The Court of Auditors says management and monitoring of French Polynesia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites are falling short, flagging outdated Taputapuatea marae visitor information and weak safeguards for historical accuracy, with the broader message that inscription brings long-term preservation duties. Ocean Protection & Voyaging: On Rapa Nui, Pacific community and government leaders gathered through Te Piri mā’ohi o Te Moana Nui a Hiva to strengthen ancestral voyaging ties and share marine conservation practices, with French Polynesia among the participating communities. Cruise Culture & Lifestyle: Norwegian Cruise Line is extending its South Pacific season with more close-to-home itineraries, highlighting that travellers want local culture and easy island-hopping. World Voyaging Interest: A global sailing-yacht roundup notes rising Pacific-bound voyages, including French Polynesia arrivals, underscoring the region’s pull for long-distance cruisers. Maritime Tourism Spotlight: A travel feature praises St Vincent and the Grenadines as a sailing destination, reflecting the wider lifestyle appeal of island voyaging that also draws visitors to the Pacific.

Voyaging & Ocean Protection in Rapa Nui: Koro Nui o te Vaikava o Rapa Nui, with the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Pacific Pwo Navigators, hosted Te Piri mā’ohi o Te Moana Nui a Hiva, bringing together voyaging leaders, cultural practitioners, scientists, and government reps from across Oceania (including French Polynesia) to strengthen ancestral ties, share wayfinding knowledge, and push marine conservation and high-seas protection. South Pacific Cruise Demand: Norwegian Cruise Line extended its 2026–2027 South Pacific season with more close-to-home itineraries, citing strong interest for multi-island trips and guest priorities like experiencing local culture and relaxing. World Cruise Routes Touch French Polynesia: Viking announced a 142-day 2028–2029 world cruise that crosses the Pacific with stops in Hawaii and then French Polynesia (Tahiti and Bora Bora), plus the Cook Islands, before continuing through New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Sailing Culture & Lifestyle: A feature on why sailing in St Vincent and the Grenadines hits the “paradise meets sporty” sweet spot, reflecting the broader lifestyle appeal of long, destination-rich voyages.