Traditional Kanak dancers
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Traditional Kanak dancers

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Terres de Lumière

New Caledonia Season

Film, Food & Culture across New Zealand

This spring, experience the flavours, stories and creativity of New Caledonia right here in New Zealand. Throughout September and October, New Caledonia Season brings our closest French-Pacific neighbour to cities across the country through film, food, arts and cultural experiences.

From Auckland to Dunedin, discover a unique Pacific destination where Kanak culture, French influences and contemporary island life come together.

Celebrate New Caledonia this spring

September - October 2026

Every year on 24 September, New Caledonia celebrates its “Journée de la Citoyenneté”, a day dedicated to the diversity of its people, cultures and shared heritage.

To mark the occasion, the Alliance Française network in New Zealand, in partnership with the Government of New Caledonia and New Caledonia Tourism, is celebrating New Caledonia throughout September and October.

Film screenings, food experiences, exhibitions and other cultural events offer plenty of opportunities to get a taste of New Caledonia – without leaving New Zealand.


HIGHLIGHTS

Discover the highlights of the 2026 Season

New Caledonia Film Festival

New Caledonian stories take to the big screen with a selection of six short films touring New Zealand.

Screened in their original French or Kanak languages with English subtitles, the films explore New Caledonia through comedy, drama, history and contemporary storytelling. Exclusive video interviews with the directors offer a closer look at the creative voices behind each film.

Oceans of Flavour – One Ocean, Many Flavours

Experience the Pacific through a unique culinary collaboration at the AUT School of Hospitality and Tourism.

On 22 September, New Zealand chef Peter Gordon will join culinary talents from across the Pacific, with New Caledonia represented by chef Alphonse Kocé and Lynda Song. Open to the public with registration required, the event will also be broadcast on Pasifika TV.

Arts, creativity and New Caledonian culture

Beyond film and food, New Caledonia Season brings more of the destination’s creative scene to New Zealand.

The 2026 programme includes New Caledonian photography and artefact exhibitions, a new New Caledonia Corner in Nelson, experiences around the award-winning video game Tchia, and other cultural initiatives throughout the Season.


WHAT'S ON

Find New Caledonia near you

From cinema and food to exhibitions and cultural experiences, discover what’s happening in your city during New Caledonia Season 2026.

Many New Caledonia Season events are free or open to the public, although registration may be required. Alliance Française members may receive discounted admission to selected paid events. Dates, venues and booking arrangements are subject to confirmation. Check the programme regularly for the latest information.

New Caledonian Stories on the Big Screen

Discover the New Caledonia Film Festival

Six films. Six distinctive stories. One opportunity to discover New Caledonia through the eyes of its filmmakers.

From 20 September to 3 October 2026, the New Caledonia Film Festival will travel to cinemas and cultural venues across New Zealand, with screenings in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, Palmerston North, Tauranga and Wellington.

Watch the films in their original French or Kanak languages with English subtitles, meet their directors through exclusive video interviews and discover the diversity of New Caledonian cinema.

Beyond the Events

Strengthening connections across the Pacific

Alongside its public programme, New Caledonia Season also creates new opportunities for exchange between New Zealand and New Caledonia.

Throughout the 2026 Season, educational, cultural and professional initiatives will connect students, teachers, universities, artists and tourism professionals across the two Pacific neighbours. These include language and university programmes, professional workshops, cultural exchanges and opportunities to experience French language immersion in New Caledonia.