Taputapuatea marae on Raiatea Photo: supplied Presidency French Polynesia
A marae on Raiatea in French Polynesia has been made a UNESCO World Heritage site.
UNESCO's 41st meeting in Poland accepted the bid by France to give Taputapuatea marae World Heritage status.
The marae complex is about 1,000 years old and was a centre for Polynesian seafarers from where they explored islands such as Rapa Nui, Hawai'i and New Zealand.
The territory has been campaigning for more than 20 years to secure global recognition of the marae.
The weekend announcement has been welcomed by the French Polynesian delegation that travelled to Cracow.
Other Pacific countries with World Heritage sites include Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
French delegation at Unesco meeting in Poland where Taputapuatea marae on Raiatea has been made a World Heritage site Photo: supplied French Polynesia presidency
