The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed a NZ$2 million (around K4.7million) contribution from the Government of New Zealand to support Papua New Guinea’s ongoing response to a polio outbreak. The funding arrives at a critical moment, as cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) continue to be detected through environmental and community surveillance in Lae and Port Moresby since April 2025. Papua New Guinea remains at high risk of polio resurgence, driven by low routine immunization coverage and significant challenges in reaching remote areas. New Zealand’s support will aid broader efforts to strengthen the country’s immunization systems, in…
Author: Paula DAVID
Papua New Guinea’s Ministry and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will participate in the 2nd Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue (PICTMD) scheduled for 8 August 2025 in Suva, Fiji. First launched and led by Papua New Guinea in 2023, the Dialogue gathers ICT Ministers and senior officials from up to 12 Pacific Island nations to advance digital development aligned with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The inaugural meeting resulted in the Lagatoi Declaration, which calls for coordinated regional actions to boost digital inclusion, connectivity, cybersecurity, and policy harmonization—key pillars guiding the Dialogue’s agenda. The Dialogue focuses…
Finschhafen MP and Minister for Mining & Special Projects, Rainbo Paita, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of four Kabwum citizens in Lae, describing the incident as barbaric and calling for urgent government action to restore peace and uphold the rule of law. “I join Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, John Rosso, in calling for immediate and decisive action following this senseless act of violence. The people of Morobe are peace-loving and respectful. What happened in Lae is not just an attack on individuals — it is an affront to the values we stand for as a province…
The East Sepik Province has officially joined the Miss Bird of Paradise (MBOP) Papua New Guinea Pageant, becoming the sixth province to sign onto the national platform. A formal partnership agreement was signed on Friday, August 1st, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the MBOP initiative across the country. The signing ceremony was witnessed by committee members from both the MBOP national organization and the newly formed Miss East Sepik Pageant Committee. This partnership paves the way for East Sepik to host its first-ever provincial pageant and send a representative to the national stage later this year. The…
The National Written Expression Examination for Grade 12s was held this morning and out of 38, 716 Grade 12 students from 238 secondary and 6 National Schools of Excellence throughout the country, a total of 127 students from La Salle Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby also joined the rest. According to Principal Brother (Br.) Antony Samy Pancras, all students were present today and sat for their exam. Prior to that, Br. Antony said the school received the booklets last week and their English Department went to work preparing the students for months for the exam. “All are present today.…
The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) has officially appointed Professor Ian Findlay as its new Vice-Chancellor. The announcement was made by Chancellor and Council Chairman, Sir Robert Igara KBE CMG, during a formal handover ceremony at the university’s Council Conference Room recently. Professor Findlay becomes the 13th Vice-Chancellor since UPNG was established in 1965. He takes over from Professor Cecilia Nembou, who had been serving in an acting capacity since March 1, 2024. Sir Robert praised Professor Nembou for her strong leadership during a critical period, noting her success in restoring institutional stability, improving academic governance, and overseeing two…
Rugby league in Papua New Guinea reached a defining moment this week on Thursday as the newly established Board of the country’s National Rugby League (NRL) franchise met for the first time, laying the groundwork for the nation’s historic entry into the NRL competition in 2028. The inaugural Board meeting, held in Port Moresby, brought together key figures in PNG’s NRL journey, including newly appointed Chairman Ray Dib and Chief Executive Andrew Hill, along with a diverse group of Board members bringing extensive expertise from corporate, commercial, and sporting backgrounds. Describing the meeting as a “truly historic day,” Chairman Dib…
The National St John Ambulance Council (NStJA) has launched a pioneering initiative aimed at strengthening emergency medical services in the National Capital District (NCD). In a milestone event held on the 13st of July, nine (9) newly trained volunteers were officially inducted into the ambulance service as part of the new Weekend Warrior Ambulance Reservist Program (WWARP). The program is designed to bolster the capacity of St John Ambulance crews during the busiest periods—Friday and Saturday nights and public holidays—by deploying trained civilian volunteers known as “Weekend Warriors.” These reservists will work alongside professional paramedics to help meet surging demand…
Rugby Role Model Aidan Toua Kicks Off Day of Purpose with Gerehu Juniors Rugby Star Aidan Toua Leads Community Feeding for Young Athletes in Gerehu. Over 100 young athletes from the Kerehu Juniors Rugby League Club kicked off their Saturday with more than just a meal — they received a powerful lesson in discipline and determination from Papua New Guinea rugby legend Aidan Toua. Held at the Gerehu Sports Field and organized by the Streetsmart Initiative, the early morning community feeding program aimed not only to nourish bodies but also to inspire minds. Aidan Toua, known both for his international…
The community of Rea Rea Village in the Central Province will celebrate a transformative moment tomorrow with the official opening of a newly constructed footbridge, a project set to improve the lives of more than 3,000 residents across Rea Rea and nearby villages. Scheduled for launch on July 31, 2025, the bridge marks a major milestone in local infrastructure and a turning point for a village long affected by seasonal flooding and rough terrain. Previously, the deteriorating wooden crossing had posed safety risks, especially during the rainy season. Now, with the new structure in place, villagers will have year-round safe…