Rising sprint star Timothy Tuna has been selected to represent Papua New Guinea at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, where he will compete in the 200 metres; the event in which he has twice broken the national record this year. Tuna, a standout product of the NSI Athlete Development Programme, first gained international attention at the 2024 Oceania Championships, earning a bronze medal in a fiercely contested 200m event. His impressive semi-final time of 21.32 seconds hinted at his potential, which was confirmed when he smashed PNG’s national 200m record with 20.75 seconds in April, and then…
Author: Aseneth WAIDE
The Mary Mother of Catholic Hope clinic, in Buka, Bougainville, operated by the Catholic Church Health Services (CCHS), is setting a shining example of how sexual and reproductive health services can be successfully delivered in some of Papua New Guinea’s most remote and underserved areas. Backed by the Australian Government through the Sexual and Reproductive Health Integration Project (SHRIP), the clinic is part of a broader initiative across 11 provinces. SHRIP is improving access to high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare by supporting 13 CCHS-run facilities to deliver vital services, including HIV and STI counselling, testing, and treatment. But in Buka,…
The Digicel Foundation has launched a powerful new initiative under its Men of Honor program, calling on its staff to lead a national movement against gender-based violence (GBV) and in support of child protection throughout Papua New Guinea. Through this ground-breaking staff-led campaign, Digicel PNG employees are being equipped to become Community Ambassadors, in order to promote values of respect, safety, and accountability both in the workplace and in their communities. Speaking at the launch, Digicel PNG Chief Executive Officer Mr. Tarik Boudiaf commended the team members participating in the program, highlighting their role as change-makers. “This program is not…
Organizers preparing for the iconic Mt Hagen Cultural Show have received a financial boost, with the National Cultural Commission (NCC) stepping in to support the event with a K10,000 sponsorship. The funding, presented during a modest ceremony at NCC headquarters in Port Moresby, was handed over by NCC Executive Director Steven Enomb Kilanda to Richard Lazarus, Executive Manager for Commerce and Tourism in the Western Highlands Provincial Administration. This contribution will help ensure the show continues its proud tradition of uniting tribes and communities from across the Highlands to share their customs, dances, stories, and songs in one of PNG’s…
Students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech) have received a major academic boost following the donation of state-of-the-art TNavigator software licenses from the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC). The high-end reservoir modelling software, used globally by top-tier companies in the extractive industry, will now be accessible to students from UPNG’s Earth Science Division and Unitech’s School of Mining Engineering for academic tutorials. MRDC Managing Director Augustine Mano said the donation is part of the company’s commitment to developing the country’s future workforce. “Being part of the extractive sector, we…
“Because justice should include everyone — even kids.” Recently, 16 students from ten schools (Gordons Secondary Tokarara Secondary, Caritas Technical Secondary, Marianville Secondary, Kila Kila Secondary, Gordons International, Taurama Primary, Bavaroko Primary, Ward Strip Primary and Don Bosco Technical Secondary School) congregated for the Children’s Consultation on General Comment 27 (GC27), focusing on children’s rights to access justice and effective remedies. At the Children’s Consultation on General Comment 27 (GC27), students shared their thoughts, fears, and hopes about how justice should really work for kids in Papua New Guinea. Here are 6 real things they said loud and clear: 1.…
Papua New Guinea’s rich cultural heritage is facing significant risks due to inadequate safeguarding efforts and the loss of invaluable artefacts to museums overseas, according to a new Issues Paper (No. 49) released by the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PNGNRI). In “Strategies to preserve and reclaim Papua New Guinea’s cultural artefacts”, senior research officer Clara Bal highlights the urgent need to protect PNG’s cultural identity. She points out that many local museums, including the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) in Port Moresby, are struggling with outdated infrastructure and poor environmental conditions, hindering their ability to properly care…
In a powerful address, Anthony Uechtritz, Principal Program Manager for Youth Opportunities at the Santos Foundation, highlighted the remarkable transformation of the Pimaga Vocational and Education Training Centre in Lake Kutubu in Southern Highlands Province, showcasing how focused investment and community collaboration can revitalize rural education and unlock the potential of Papua New Guinea’s youth, at the 2025 Papua New Guinea Resources Week held at APEC Haus. According to the United Nations Population Fund, over 60% of PNG’s population is under the age of 25—a demographic shift posing both a challenge and an opportunity. “When young people lack opportunities, it…
Four swimmers; Joanna Chen, Josh Tarere, Jhnayali Tokome-Garap, and Nathaniel Noka are currently holding our national flag high at the 2025 World Aquatics Championship in Singapore. After participating less than a month ago at the Pacific Mini-Games in Palau, the youngsters are now competing alongside the best athletes globally from July 27th– August 3rd at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore. The athletes touched down in Singapore, approximately two days ago, accompanied by Coach Rick Van Der Zant and Team Manager, Jean Valu Vava. Joanna Chen kicked off the competition on Sunday 27th July 2025, swimming in Event 1, Heat…
As someone who went through a rollercoaster of emotions in my teen years, engaging in self- destructive behaviors seemed like the only option available…until I discovered poetry. Engaging in art can be therapeutic for many young people. Here’s a few ways creative activities can help youths: 1. Provides a healthy outlet for managing emotions. Instead of using drugs, alcohol or pornography as coping mechanisms, young people can express emotions through art, music, writing or dance. 2. Builds Self-Esteem and identity. Success in a creative field is a confidence booster for young people and gives a sense of purpose, reducing the…