New Caledonia visa question

Hi all,

currently in Australia and going to New Caledonia hereafter.
I'mThai so I need a visa.

I called the consulate; the answering machine refers me back to the website.
But I can't find the answer to my question on the government website, http://www.ambafrance-au.org
So I thought I'd shoot you guys a message. Let's see what good Thorn Tree is :)

Quote from the website:
"Travel itinerary or airline tickets issued by travel agent or airline."
So if an itinerary suffices, ok, I can type one.
But I fear they want to see proof for my ticket to New Zealand, which I haven't booked yet.

Here's the trouble.
How am I supposed to know for what date I should book my New Caledonia to New Zealand flight if I haven't got a granted visa for New Caledonia yet?
In other words, it's impossible for me to book a ticket to NZ BEFORE I get my visa, simply because I don't know whether I will get in. If I book a ticket from NC to NZ before I get my visa granted, and they won't let me into NC, what to do with the ticket?

Anyone got similar experiences or tips??? Would be highly, highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Kung

The same requirement is listed for people applying for a Schengen Visa and this is the info provided in the FAQs about that issue.