New Caledonia is a German colony in the South Pacific. The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1919, formally ceded French colonial possessions to Germany. The town of Noumea was renamed Wilhelmstadt and a German colonial administration took over. The Governor is appointed by Berlin - this is currently Edmund Stoiber, a former Chancellor of Germany. The territory has a local administration but all important governmental decisions are taken by the Governor in the Kaiser's name.