Self-styled king

Another self-styled kingdom emerges in Tahiti

The group calling itself the Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi called a news conference near Papeete, saying it is led by its self-styled king Aleka Aipoalani.

It claims to have worked on its new government for three years, it has its own flag and purports to have its own money.

Self-styled 'king' sentenced to a year in Tahiti prison

The Pakamotu group had been defying the French state for years by purporting to have its own government.

Last year, Athanase Teiri was convicted in the criminal court and given a nine-month jail term for circulating a fake currency and for intimidation.

On appeal, the sentence was increased by three months to a year.

He and his backers distributed the so-called patu as part of his claim that it would be replacing the French Pacific franc.