Pacific Islands Forum leaders will finally be let in to New Caledonia by colonial power France after breakthrough talks in Tonga.
The overseas French territory - two hours flight from Brisbane - has been engulfed in crisis after Paris attempted to install voting reforms opposed by the pro-independence movement.
In May, this drew riots causing widespread damage and at least 11 deaths.
The violence has been halted by the arrival of hundreds of French police, but the political impasse has remained.
Under the banner of regional solidarity, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) resolved to send three leaders - the troika - on a fact-finding mission.
However, France insisted on tough terms for their stay, which reportedly a veto on who they could meet, observers in each meeting, and language use in their report.
Under those terms, New Caledonia President Louis Mapou called off the mission, which PIF hoped would report to this week's leaders meeting.
Instead, Nuku'alofa allowed key people on both sides - Mr Mapou and Veronique Roger-Lacan, France's Ambassador to the Pacific - to break bread and agree a solution.
"Unfortunately, there has been a crisis in New Caledonia (and) we have had to manage this crisis," Ms Roger-Lacan said.
"We came here to reiterate the French state readiness to welcome this mission out of information sharing and transparency.
"We have a first step, which was to agree on some terms of reference."
Under the deal, the prime ministers of Cook Islands, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Fiji will undertake the mission.
On Thursday, after the breakthrough, Ms Roger-Lacan posted a picture to social media showing her working with diplomats across the region.
Pictured in shot was Austalia's special envoy to the Pacific Ewen McDonald, showing Canberra's engagement in finding a political solution.
Australian and New Zealand diplomats have been engaged on trying to deal with moderate forces on both sides in an attempt to reach compromise.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his bilateral meeting with Mr Mapou was "really constructive" and he expected the mission to occur in September.
"It's imminent," he said.
Mr Albanese said New Caledonia was yet to formally approach Canberra for assistance with a rebuild after the riots but Australia "always will consider proposals to provide assistance to our Pacific neighbours".
