Trukai Industries Limited (TIL) is continuing its mission to strengthen food security and promote sustainable agriculture in Papua New Guinea (PNG) through its flagship initiative program the SMART FARMER Program, a hands-on training program preparing hundreds of local farmers in irrigated rice farming. Now in its fourth intake at Pacific Adventist University (PAU) outside Port Moresby city and fifth batch overall since the program’s launch in 2022, the SMART FARMER Program combines classroom theory and community-based fieldwork aimed at increasing national rice production and reducing reliance on imported rice. The 2025 January intake (Batch 3) saw 51 participants, while the…
Author: Jordan VELA
Police have arrested the owner of a company allegedly posing as a legitimate medical research firm, following an investigation into the misappropriation of K5 million allocated for COVID-19 research and testing. Detective Superintendent Robert Volo, Director of the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate (NFACD), confirmed the arrest, stating the company was not registered as a certified medical or pharmaceutical research institution. According to police, the company received K5 million in 2022 through the National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS), intended for scientific research into COVID-19 treatments. Investigators claim the funds were misused, with no evidence of research or testing being conducted.…
More than 12,000 people filled Sir Hubert Murray Stadium last night for the inaugural Meganesia concert, a dynamic musical celebration ahead of Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary. The event showcased a blend of traditional and contemporary performances from artists across Papua New Guinea and Australia, reflecting a shared spirit of cultural pride and regional unity. Young PNG talents Desiz and Jarahn thrilled the crowd with energetic sets, representing the rising generation of homegrown music stars. Their performances were met with loud cheers and solidified their growing reputation in the local music scene. Famous names such as Sai Kay and…
Papua New Guinea’s Under-23 Men’s and Women’s 3×3 Basketball Teams have left our shores for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau along with Team PNG. The national squads will represent PNG in both the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League 2025 and the Pacific Mini Games, scheduled to run from 29th June to 9th July. The games will bring together more than 1,500 athletes from 24 Pacific nations, competing across 12 sports. Team PNG is placed in Conference 1, alongside Fiji, Tonga, Palau, Vanuatu, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The 3×3 competition will be held across two courts with…
The Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant Papua New Guinea (MBOP PNG) has officially expanded to Morobe Province, marking a significant milestone in its mission to promote provincial representation as the nation prepares to celebrate 50 years of independence. In a signing ceremony held on Wednesday, 25th June, the MBOP PNG committee formalized a Memorandum of Agreement to launch the Miss Bird of Paradise Morobe Provincial Pageant – the second provincial pageant established under MBOP PNG in 2025. Western Province was the first, launching its pageant earlier in May. The Morobe committee will be led by Chairperson Jennifer Baing and Treasurer…
In yet another successful year, Jacks of PNG today announced six of its 2025 Design PNG Competition Winners as well as the launching of the 50th Independence Collection at Jacks through a fashion show in collaboration with PNG Fashion Week. The winners for this year’s Design PNG Competition are Igo Marcs Willie, Hayavi Ikati, Analis Wokam, Shila Mulina, Sebastine Luka and Melky Watubang. This year, the competition carried an extra layer of significance, celebrating Papua New Guinea’s 50th year of independence. In addition, Jacks of PNG made this year’s design competition different whereas it introduced two separate tiers to make…
Basketball Papua New Guinea (BPNG), in collaboration with FIBA Oceania, has successfully concluded a dynamic three-day strategy session focused on reviewing and strengthening its operational and program delivery frameworks. Led by BPNG President David Peter, the federation continues to gain traction with its commitment to holistic basketball development. The organization’s approach balances the physical and mental aspects of the sport, empowering athletes with strong fundamentals while paving the way toward elite performance through close coordination with FIBA Oceania. At the heart of BPNG’s long-term vision is its flagship community platform, Basketball for Good—a movement that harnesses the power of basketball…
Papua New Guinea Lewas captain Brenda Tau has described the PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational as a celebration of unity, culture, and the empowerment of women through sport across the Pacific. Tau extended heartfelt gratitude to the Australian Government, Cricket Australia, the Australian High Commission, PacificAus Sports, Cricket PNG, and all tournament organisers for their tireless efforts in making the week-long event a resounding success. “On behalf of the PNG Lewas, I want to sincerely thank the Australian Government, Cricket Australia, Australian High Commission, PacificAus Sports, Cricket PNG, and all the wonderful organizer’s for making this tournament a special event,” said…
With Papua New Guinea just months away from marking its 50th Independence Anniversary, leaders and artists came together today to officially launch Meganesia, a unique cross-cultural concert set to unite Indigenous Australian and Papua New Guinean voices on one stage. Held at the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) building, the press conference featured key dignitaries including NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Australian High Commission Counsellor Mr. Nicholas Kittel, and Artistic Director Airileke alongside a panel of international and local performers. “Meganesia is more than entertainment—it’s a cultural handshake. It closes the Asia-Pacific story we started and opens the next chapter: our…
This weekend’s Meganesia concert is set to light up Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby city with a world-class lineup of more than 150 performers from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Indigenous Australia. Here’s your official list of artists confirmed to perform on Saturday, June 28, from 3PM to 9:30PM. ON THE MAIN PANEL Airileke (Artistic Director) Yirrmal – Indigenous Australian singer-songwriter Kaiit – Neo-soul artist from Australia Mereani – Powerful Pacific vocalis INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS Sam Roem Yosua Roem Bula David Albert (Abang) David Michael Chan Troy Schrieber Phil Bywater Richard Mogu Deline Briscoe Mea Ingram PNG ARTISTS TO…