AGP Executive Report

Cultural Heritage: A landmark portrait of Mai, the young man from the Society Islands who visited Britain in 1774, is now on view at Los Angeles’ Getty Center through March 2027. Education: A cruising sailor’s school visits brought stories and books to children in Fakarava, where one teacher said The Giving Tree struck a chord with students who care deeply about the planet. Polynesian Voyaging: New genetic research finds Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui people share a close ancestral link, adding fresh insight into the ocean crossings that connected distant islands. Self-Determination: President Moetai Brotherson proposed a UN-backed process for French Polynesians to learn about political options, hear from a visiting UN mission and ultimately choose their future in a referendum. Food and Travel: Windstar’s 2027 chef-hosted sailings include a French Polynesia voyage led by Felix Tai, culinary director of Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Center.

Polynesian Heritage: A newly published genetic study finds Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui people are more closely related than other Polynesian populations studied, pointing to shared voyaging and settlement history. French Polynesian samples helped researchers trace these connections. Mai on Display: A landmark portrait of Mai, the first Pacific Islander known to have visited Britain, is now on view at Los Angeles’ Getty Center through March 2027. Mai came from the Society Islands, including Tahiti and Raiatea. Decolonisation Dialogue: President Moetai Brotherson has proposed a three-step UN process: public education on political options, a UN mission to hear residents, then an agreed path to a referendum. He says France must engage, while stressing that no outcome should be predetermined. Books in Fakarava: A cruising sailor’s school visits brought stories to students at Fakarava Primary School, where children chose The Giving Tree as a favourite for its message about caring for the planet. Culinary Voyages: Windstar’s 2027 chef-hosted cruises include a French Polynesia sailing led by Felix Tai of Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Center. French Polynesia also ranks among the world’s top 10 honeymoon destinations for 2027.

Pacific Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is committing more than $25 million to ocean protection in five Pacific nations, supporting new marine reserves and high-seas conservation. Books in Fakarava: A cruising sailor’s school visits brought stories to remote students, including children in Fakarava, where The Giving Tree became a favorite. Mai’s Portrait: A monumental 1776 portrait of Mai, the first Pacific Islander to visit Britain, is now on view at Los Angeles’ Getty Center through March 2027. Polynesian Voyaging: New genetic research points to close ancestral ties between Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui, drawing on data from across Polynesia, including French Polynesia. French Polynesia’s Future: President Moetai Brotherson has proposed a three-step UN-backed process: public education on political options, a UN visit to hear residents, and an agreed path to a self-determination referendum. Culinary Travel: Windstar’s 2027 chef-hosted cruises include a voyage through French Polynesia, pairing destination experiences with Pacific-inspired food.

Pacific Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is committing more than $25 million to ocean protection in five Pacific nations, including Tonga and the Cook Islands, supporting new marine protected areas and habitat research. Books in Fakarava: A cruising sailor’s school visits brought stories to students at Fakarava Primary School, where Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree became a favorite. Mai’s Portrait: A monumental 18th-century portrait of Mai, who came from the Society Islands, is now on display at Los Angeles’ Getty Center through March 2027. Political Future: President Moetai Brotherson has proposed a three-step UN process: public education on status options, a UN visiting mission, and an agreed path to a referendum. He says the goal is for Mā’ohi people to decide freely, with no outcome imposed. Polynesian Voyaging: New genetic research finds Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui people are unusually closely related, pointing to shared ancestral voyagers and migration across the Pacific.

Polynesian Voyaging: A genomic study finds Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui are more closely related than other Polynesian populations examined, pointing to shared ancestral voyages and settlement. The research drew on samples from across Polynesia, including French Polynesia. Culinary Travel: Windstar’s 2027 chef-hosted cruises include a French Polynesian voyage with Felix Tai, culinary director of Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Center, bringing Pacific food traditions into the onboard experience. Political Future: At the UN, President Moetai Brotherson proposed a three-step process for French Polynesians to decide their future: public education on status options, a UN visiting mission, and an agreed path to a referendum. He urged France to begin UN-backed dialogue, with no predetermined outcome. Honeymoon Hotlist: French Polynesia made the top 10 destinations for luxury honeymoons in 2027, according to Virtuoso’s travel-adviser survey.

Food & Travel: Windstar’s 2027 chef-hosted cruises include a French Polynesian voyage led by Felix Tai, culinary director of Hawaiʻi’s Polynesian Cultural Center, connecting Pacific food and culture with the itinerary. French Polynesia also ranks among the world’s top 10 honeymoon destinations for 2027. Political Future: President Moetai Brotherson has proposed a three-step UN-backed process: educate residents on status options, invite a UN mission to hear from them, then agree on a path to a referendum. He says France has yet to engage in structured decolonisation talks, and no outcome should be predetermined. Polynesian Roots: New genomic research traces close links among Polynesian island populations, including Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui. Researchers say shared ancestry may carry clues to rare disease risks, while stressing that Indigenous communities should help control how their genetic data is used.

Culinary Voyages: Windstar’s 2027 chef-hosted cruises include a French Polynesia sailing with Felix Tai, culinary director of Hawaiʻi’s Polynesian Cultural Center, pairing Pacific island culture with onboard food experiences. Polynesian Connections: New genetic research traces shared ancestral links among island populations, including Hawaiians and Rapa Nui people. Researchers say the findings may also inform health care, with Indigenous communities’ control over genetic data a central concern. Political Future: President Moetai Brotherson has proposed a three-step UN process: educate people about political options, send a UN mission to hear from residents, then agree on a path to a referendum. He urged France to begin structured decolonisation dialogue, with no outcome predetermined. Honeymoon Appeal: French Polynesia made Virtuoso’s top 10 honeymoon destinations for 2027, alongside Greece, Bali and the Maldives.

Decolonisation Dialogue: President Moetai Brotherson has asked France to engage in a UN-backed process on French Polynesia’s political future. His proposed three steps are public education on status options, a UN mission to hear residents and an agreed route to a referendum, with no outcome predetermined. Polynesian Ancestry: New genomic research points to shared voyaging links between Hawaiʻi and Rapa Nui, while raising questions about inherited health risks. Researcher Keolu Fox says Indigenous communities should be partners in how their genetic data is collected and used. Travel Spotlight: French Polynesia made the top 10 of Virtuoso’s 2027 luxury honeymoon destinations list, reflecting its appeal to couples seeking island escapes. Food and Culture: Windstar’s 2027 James Beard Foundation chef voyages include a French Polynesia sailing, pairing high-end travel with culinary experiences.

Culinary Voyages: Windstar’s 2027 chef-hosted sailings will include French Polynesia, pairing luxury cruises with destination-inspired cuisine. Political Future: At the UN, President Moetai Brotherson proposed a three-step path to self-determination: public education on status options, a UN visit to hear residents and an agreed route to a referendum. He says France must engage in dialogue. Polynesian Heritage: New genomic research points to ancestral voyaging links between French Polynesia, Hawaiʻi and Rapa Nui. Researcher Keolu Fox says Indigenous communities should help control how genetic data is used and share in its benefits. Travel: French Polynesia features among the world’s top honeymoon destinations for 2027 in Virtuoso’s luxury travel survey.

Self-Determination: President Moetai Brotherson has asked France to begin a UN-backed process on French Polynesia’s political future. His proposal calls for public education on status options, a UN mission to hear residents and an agreed path to a referendum, with no outcome decided in advance. Polynesian Ancestry: New genomic research points to close ties between Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui people, consistent with shared ancestral voyaging. Researchers say some findings may matter for rare-disease risks, while stressing the need for Indigenous communities to help shape and benefit from the work. Travel & Cuisine: French Polynesia made the top 10 honeymoon destinations for 2027 in a luxury travel survey. Windstar Cruises also included the islands among destinations for its 2027 chef-hosted sailings with the James Beard Foundation.

UN Development: A French Polynesian delegate joined talks at UN headquarters on a faster Global South roadmap for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including education, health and climate action. Indigenous Research: A new study traces close ancestral links between Native Hawaiians and Rapa Nui people. Its lead researcher says a 2017 visit to French Polynesia, and the legacy of nuclear testing, helped shape his focus on community-led genomic research and health care. Political Future: President Moetai Brotherson proposed a three-step UN process: inform people about political options, send a UN mission to hear from residents, then agree on a path to a self-determination vote. French Polynesia’s Assembly has backed dialogue with France. Travel: French Polynesia made the top 10 in a 2027 luxury honeymoon ranking, while Windstar Cruises announced chef-hosted sailings that include the islands.

Polynesian Voyaging: A new genetics study suggests the same crews settled Hawaiʻi and Rapa Nui, with French Polynesia central to the shared ancestry. Native Hawaiian researcher Keolu Fox says the work should also benefit Indigenous communities, including through more community control over genomic data and research that addresses health needs. Decolonisation: President Moetai Brotherson has proposed a three-step UN pathway for French Polynesia’s political future: public education on status options, a UN mission to hear residents, and an agreed route to a referendum. He says France must engage in dialogue after 13 years of deadlock. The Assembly has backed a UN mission, with major political groups supporting people’s right to choose their future. Culinary Travel: Windstar Cruises has announced five 2027 chef-hosted voyages with the James Beard Foundation, including a sailing that features French Polynesia and connects local ingredients and food traditions with the journey.

Self-Determination: President Moetai Brotherson has proposed a three-step UN pathway for French Polynesians to consider their political future: education on status options, a UN mission to hear residents, and an agreed route to a referendum. He urged France to begin talks, stressing that no outcome should be predetermined. Polynesian Roots: A new genetics study finds Native Hawaiians are most closely related to Rapa Nui people among the Polynesian groups studied, suggesting the same voyaging crews settled both islands. Researchers say shared genetic traits may also leave some people at risk of rare diseases. Culinary Travel: Windstar Cruises’ 2027 James Beard Foundation chef-hosted sailings will include French Polynesia among destinations across several regions, pairing voyages with chefs connected to local food traditions.

Culinary Voyages: Windstar Cruises has unveiled five 2027 sailings hosted by James Beard Foundation chefs, including journeys to French Polynesia that pair local destinations with culinary heritage. Decolonisation Dialogue: President Moetai Brotherson is urging France to begin UN-backed talks on French Polynesia’s political future. He proposed public education on the options, a UN mission to hear residents and a path to a self-determination referendum with no predetermined outcome. A cross-party Assembly resolution has backed the principle that Mā’ohi people should choose their future.

Decolonisation: President Moetai Brotherson urged France to begin UN-backed talks, saying the process has stalled 13 years after French Polynesia joined the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. A cross-party Assembly resolution backs the people’s right to choose their future; Brotherson proposed public education, a UN visit and an eventual vote with no predetermined outcome. Polynesian Wayfinding: A feature revisits Hōkūleʻa’s role in reviving traditional navigation. The canoe and Hikianalia were pictured at their final French Polynesia stop on a Pacific voyage. LGBTQ+ Travel: Brand g Vacations has opened bookings for 2027 luxury trips, including French Polynesia. Tahiti Cruises: Paul Gauguin and Ponant are offering $1,000 in onboard credit on select 2026–27 sailings booked by the end of October, with some discounts also available.

UN Decolonisation Dialogue: French Polynesia’s President Moetai Brotherson told the UN C-24 that the territory wants a clear, UN-backed process for self-determination: public information and education on options, a UN visiting mission to hear people directly, and a democratic pathway ending in a referendum “no predetermined outcome, no unilateral imposition,” with dialogue preferred over litigation but not endless waiting. Tourism & Lifestyle (Tahiti): Paul Gauguin Cruises and Ponant Explorations are pushing a “Tempting Tahiti” offer for select 2026–2027 sailings, including $1,000 in shipboard credit (spa, wines, and more) plus potential extra savings if you book early—deadline end of October with promo code TEMPTAH. Overseas Development Funding: EU development MEPs backed stronger support and democratic oversight for overseas countries and territories, including Greenland, calling for more funding and local consultation as geostrategic pressures rise. Pacific Culture in Motion: A blind Norwegian activist’s “Bike for Peace” tour highlights cross-cultural dialogue and youth activism, using tandem cycling to connect communities across the Pacific.