27 May 2004

Claims businesses sending capital out of French Polynesia

10:22 am on 27 May 2004

French Polynesia's Tavini Huiraatira opposition party says businesses are sending money to New Zealand amid political instability following the election.

In an election upset early this week, the ruling Tahoeraa Huiraatira party lost its absolute majority, with the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party poised to form a new coalition government.

The spokesperson for Tavini, Tea Hirshon, says businesses are nervous about the intentions of the Tavini leader, Oscar Temaru.

"There's quite a bit of fear among the financial businesses, actually. I was told that a lot of money has been sent to New Zealand."