Politics of New Caledonia second-class status for French citizens living in New Caledonia who do not possess New Caledonian "citizenship" (because they settled in the territory recently). New Caledonia is also allowed to engage in international cooperation with independent countries of the Pacific Ocean. Finally, the territorial Congress is allowed to pass statutes that are contrary to French law in a certain number of areas. On the other hand, New Caledonia remains an integral part of the French Republic. Inhabitants of New Caledonia are French citizens and carry French passports. They take part in the legislative and presidential French elections. New Caledonia sends two
Rugby union in New Caledonia a century. New Caledonia is still a French colony, and this has proven a mixed blessing, as players have the prospect of "promotion" to French professionalism/semi-amateurism, but this also potentially weakens the New Caledonian system, removing players, and disallowing them to represent their own country. Rugby Sevens has been a sport in the South Pacific Games since the late 1990s. There is also a semi-formal league structure. New Caledonia took part in a rugby sevens tournament in the Cook Islands in June, 2009. Rugby union in New Caledonia Rugby union in New Caledonia is a minor but growing sport. The