Samara-Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard is calling for a district-driven “revolution” to spark transformative national development, emphasizing the need for bottom-up change through strategic local action. Speaking at a recent gathering in Port Moresby, MP Leonard emphasized the need for collective action and strategic partnerships to unlock the district’s potential in key sectors such as mining, fisheries, and tourism. “The country will never change if the districts won’t change,” MP Leonard asserted, highlighting his core belief that national progress hinges on district-level transformation. “The only way forward for the country to change is for the districts to change.” A key…
Author: Paula DAVID
The Papua New Guinea women’s national football team departed for Fiji this morning at 10am to compete in the 2025 Oceania Women’s Nations Cup, set from July 4–19. Returning as reigning champions after their 2022 title win, the team is focused and determined to defend their crown. Head Coach Erickson Komeng said the squad has been undergoing intense training over the past month in preparation for the tournament. “We’re going there to defend the title, and we know it’s going to be tough. But the team has made good progress, and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Komeng said. The…
Over 8,000 elementary students and their teachers across 31 schools in seven districts of Morobe Province are now benefiting from improved learning environments and better access to clean water. This progress has been made possible through a K6 million investment from the Australian Government, supported by a K500,000 contribution from the Morobe Provincial Administration. Through this partnership, 930 new desks and 90 rainwater tanks have been delivered to schools across the province. These resources are helping to ensure safer drinking water and more conducive classroom conditions for both students and teachers. The official handover took place on Monday, 30th June…
Papua New Guinea (PNG) got off to a strong start at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, securing two silver medals on the opening day of the competition. The first medal came in the Va’a (outrigger canoeing) V12 Mixed 500m sprint final. Team PNG crossed the finish line in 2 minutes and 0.67 seconds, earning second place behind Tahiti, who claimed gold with a time of 1:58.16. Fiji took bronze with a time of 2:02.61. This podium finish marks a promising beginning for PNG’s Va’a team as they continue competing throughout the week. Later in the day, PNG’s second…
With just two weeks remaining before the full report is released, BBC Media Action has revealed early findings from its nationwide media study, showing that Yumi FM (93.1 FM) is the most-listened-to radio station in Papua New Guinea (PNG). According to the research, over 20% of respondents across the country tune into Yumi FM, with data indicating a total audience share of 37%. As the only Tok Pisin-language commercial station in PNG, Yumi FM is praised by listeners for its accessibility, relatable content, and engaging presentation of local news and music. The findings are part of a broader national media…
BBC Media Action is set to launch a new report presenting key findings from its latest media study: Understanding Audience Needs, Values, and the Role of Media and Communication in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The report captures the voices of people across the country and explores how they access, trust, and engage with different forms of media. The research reveals a complex and multi-layered information environment in PNG. Despite growing access to mobile phones, half of those surveyed said they still rely on second-hand sources for information at least once a week. The study also highlights a clear demand for…
The University of Goroka (UoG) in the Eastern Highlands province is set to host the inaugural Pacific Teacher Challenge Conference from July 5th to 7th, 2025. This landmark event, the first of its kind for UoG and a significant gathering for the Pacific, aims to address the critical challenges faced by educators across the region, particularly those in rural and remote areas. “This important event brings together teachers, educators, university leaders, policymakers, and researchers from across the Pacific,” stated Dr. Jane Awi, Executive Director for Somare Research Institute and the Chairlady for the inaugural Pacific Teacher Education Conference. “Our focus…
The SP PNG Hunters Rugby League Club has announced the appointment of two new directors to its Board, marking a significant step in strengthening the Club’s leadership both on and off the field. Joining the Board are Mr. Warwick Vele, a seasoned professional in superannuation, finance, and ICT, and Ms. Belinda Manning, a well-regarded expert in strategy and enterprise transformation. Both bring extensive experience and a strong passion for rugby league in Papua New Guinea. Chairman of the SP PNG Hunters, Stan Joyce CSM welcomed the new appointments. “We are delighted to welcome these two outstanding individuals to the SP…
In a major milestone for Papua New Guinea’s sporting future, rugby league great Marcus Bai has been appointed to the board of the country’s upcoming National Rugby League (NRL) franchise, marking a proud and historic moment for the nation. The official announcement of PNG’s inclusion in the NRL has generated a wave of excitement across the country. At the centre of this landmark development is Bai, a former Kumul and internationally respected figure in the sport. Bai, who represented PNG on the global stage and enjoyed a successful professional career, described his appointment as both “shocking” and deeply humbling. Despite…
Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has officially launched the board of Papua New Guinea’s first National Rugby League (NRL) franchise, marking a major milestone in the country’s historic entry into the NRL by 2028. Speaking at the Santos National Football Stadium in front of dignitaries from both PNG and Australia yesterday, Prime Minister Marape described the franchise as a “national unification project” and a symbol of the enduring 50-year partnership between the two countries. “We are using rugby league not just as a sport, but as a strategy to unite our people,” Marape said. “Like Mandela used rugby (union) in…