Settled French territory or powder keg: what next for New Caledonia after failed bid for independence? | Hamish McDonald

While French politicians are hailing the result of the referendum as final', indigenous Kanaks say their future is anything but settled

In the wake of the third New Caledonian referendum on independence from France, French president Emmanuel Macron declared that France is more beautiful because New Caledonia decided to stay."

The vote in the 12 December referendum - supposedly the finale of a 30-year process of preparation and consultation - was an overwhelming 96.5% against independence.