Independence movements

History of Mā'ohi / French Polynesian political status

From the 1966-1996 nuclear testing programme to the 2023 Tavini Huiraatira election victory.

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1966-1996: nuclear testing

France conducted 193 nuclear tests at Moruroa and Fangataufa, a central grievance of the independence movement.[1]

2013: UN re-inscription

The UN re-inscribed French Polynesia as a Non-Self-Governing Territory, disputed by France.[2]

2023: the Tavini Huiraatira victory

Tavini Huiraatira won the 2023 election, bringing Moetai Brotherson to the presidency.[3]

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

  1. 1.

    Claim: Between 1966 and 1996, France conducted 193 nuclear tests in French Polynesia: 179 at Moruroa Atoll (42 atmospheric, 137 underground) and 14 at Fangataufa Atoll (4 atmospheric, 10 underground); the tests contaminated marine environments, are linked to increased thyroid cancer incidence in the local population, and left radioactive contamination that, decades later, continues to pose a threat of atoll collapse or leakage, remaining a central grievance of the independence movement.

    • France detonated nearly 200 nuclear 'tests' in French Polynesia — now this activist is calling for accountability (ABC Pacific) link, Nuclear testing programme and legacy section. Source record
  2. 2.

    Claim: The UN General Assembly voted in May 2013, without opposition, to re-inscribe French Polynesia on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, ending a 66-year gap since its brief 1946-1947 listing; the resolution was sponsored by Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu with support from Vanuatu, Samoa and Timor-Leste. France disputes this status, maintaining that French Polynesia "has no place" on the list, though it ended a decade-long boycott of related UN decolonization meetings in 2023.

    • General Assembly adds French Polynesia to UN decolonization list (UN News) link, 2013 re-inscription section. Source record
    • France ends 10-year snub of UN decolonisation meetings on French Polynesia but its stance remains unchanged (RNZ News) link, French position and 2023 boycott end section. Source record
  3. 3.

    Claim: The pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party won the 2023 French Polynesian territorial elections, taking 44.32% of the vote in the second round; Moetai Brotherson became President of French Polynesia in May 2023. Historic party leader Oscar Temaru has maintained an overtly sovereigntist, anti-colonial position, while Brotherson has taken a more measured stance toward France and stated that gaining independence was not the subject of the 2023 election.

    • French Polynesia's New Pro-Independence Leadership (The Diplomat) link, 2023 election and leadership positions section. Source record

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Printed from https://independenceatlas.com/movements/maohi-french-polynesia/history · last substantive update 24 September 2026.