Moetai BROTHERSON, President of French Polynesia, and his entire government visited Ra’iātea in the Leeward Islands. This trip took place in the context of the 16th off-site Council of Ministers in the commune of Tumara’a on Wednesday, March 19.
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the government delegation, warmly welcomed by the Leeward Islands constituency, first visited the town hall of Vaiaau. Cyril TETUANUI, mayor of Tumara’a, and his municipal council invited the President of French Polynesia and all his ministers to the town hall’s council chamber for a working meeting.
In the presence of all the elected officials, the mayor presented a report on the 2021-2025 Multi-Year Investment Plan (commune-country). This was an opportunity for local officials to raise the commune of Tumara’a’s priority issues, including the living conditions of the matahiapo (see Vice-Presidency press release), employment (see Ministry of Public Service, MFT press release), major public works (see Ministry of Major Works and Equipment, MGT press release), as well as flagship projects in Tevaitoa and Tehurui.
At the end of the meeting, several highlights marked the government trip, beginning with the visit to the Teraupo’o stele, the emblematic site hosting the Heiva no Raromatai, and the Marae Tainuu.
Regarding development, TOTAL Énergies, in partnership with the Island Research and Environmental Observatory Center (CRIOBE), presented a pilot floating photovoltaic farm project aimed at achieving energy autonomy.
Other major projects to improve residents’ living conditions include the expansion of the central kitchen, ongoing renovation of the primary and nursery schools, the newly built marina, and a shelter project including an ice-making machine.
In Tehuri, the promotion of local expertise took shape through the oar and canoe workshop run by SARL VIPER. Located on a 6,500 m² site, the 750 m² workshop, established in 2008, produces 8,000 carbon and bamboo oars annually. 70% of their production is exported to 35 countries, including the Pacific region, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, North and South America, and Europe. Before visiting Fare Vai Nui, government members were presented with an oar.
After a lunch offered by the commune, site visits resumed in Vaiaau. The government met with students from the Youth Adolescent Center (CJA) and then inaugurated the cemetery, followed by the Fetuna wharf, whose 274 million F CFP works were funded 70% by the State and 30% by the country through the 3rd financial instrument. Over the past ten years, the country has granted a total of 484 million F CFP to the commune of Tumara’a (see figures from the Delegation for the Development of Communes, DDC, Tumara’a). The Motu Noa Noa and the Apatoa hotel closed this first day of the government tour.
After the field visits, the government listened to the public during nearly four hours of a public meeting. Key concerns raised by the population included the Maohi immersion school, differentiated VAT by archipelagos, land protection, organization of copra and vanilla sectors, road signs, animal welfare, and the rahui. The government responded to each issue point by point, demonstrating the interest of each minister in these topics.
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