According to sagy's spreadsheet, Noumea is the cheapest place in SWP to start from.

But it is only the 26th cheapest place on earth to start from. The following are all cheaper: Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, South Africa, Namibia, Egypt, Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Syria, Kuwait, Mauritius, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Maldives, U.A.E., Paraguay
In USD the cost of an AONE4 from these places varies between 8,600 (Sudan) and 12,300 (Paraguay) - compared to 12,600 ex-Noumea
And in fact for the 1st 17 of them (up to Zimbabwe), an AONE5 is cheaper than 12,600. And an AONE6 ex-Jordan is only 400 more. Lots of status earning and flight possibilities.

Trouble is finding flights with first class thse days - this post may help http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/9573818-post2.html