Five political groupings represented in Congress have been given space on publicly displayed panels and been allotted airtime on broadcasters.
Two of them are for independence and three are for the status quo.
The Labour Party, which advised its supporters not to take part in the vote, unsuccessfully asked to also be given airtime to explain its stance.
The referendum asks whether voters want New Caledonia to attain full sovereignty and become independent.
Polls suggest a large majority will vote for the status quo.
Kanaks won't win referendum
