In a significant boost for grassroots economic development, the Koiari Local Level Government Special Purpose Authority (KLLGSPA) has pledged its support to empower local women's groups operating within the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. KLLGSPA Chairman Paul Noe and Program Manager Charlie Ealu formalized this backing to help women across the region gain the financial independence needed to support their families. The commitment was put into action this week with a K20,000 funding presentation divided equally between two women's associations in the Koiari LLG constituency. Reflecting on the purpose of the K10,000 checks given to each group, the leadership noted that the event was to provide funding support to women’s group in the Sogeri plateau. "Last year, when we launched the Maninumu women’s group, we made some commitment to support the group. We are here today to deliver to our commitment to support the association to help our mothers find economic independence through our development package fund. Also on that note, KSPA is also honoured to assist the Sogeri Floriculture Association." Mr. Ealu also underlined that the authority intends to scale up this financial assistance in the coming years. Beyond enterprise funding, Chairman Noe reiterated that the authority's broader mandate involves driving progress across all key sectors in the Koiari LLG constituency, reaffirming their dedication to delivering essential services in education, health, religion, and social development. Welcoming the initiative, Koiari LLG President Willie Wavi thanked the KSPA for its active community engagement and pledged that the local government will continue working alongside the authority to bring meaningful development to the people of Koiari.

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has recently announced the immediate restoration of 8, 000 teachers whose salaries were affected by an auto suspension on Pay 10 which occurred on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026. Acting Chairman Maini Mike Ugaia, emphasized that urgent action is required from provincial authorities to ensure a smooth resumption of payments. The auto suspension was initially set for Pay 7 but was postponed after preliminary data indicated that 29,000 teachers nationwide would be impacted. TSC management intervened to reduce disruption, ultimately narrowing the number of affected teachers to 8, 000. Provincial TSC Advisors and Provincial Education Advisors have been directed to collect Resumption of Duty Summary Sheets from affected teachers and forward them to TSC Headquarters without delay. Teachers in provinces severely impacted by Cyclone Maila are exempted, with salaries maintained to support ongoing recovery efforts. According to TSC’s media statement, the Commission also called on provincial officers to submit verified lists of schools physically affected by the cyclone to ensure eligible teachers continue receiving uninterrupted pay. “The Commission reiterates its commitment to teacher welfare and urges swift compliance from all provincial authorities to minimize further financial distress for teachers.” The Teaching Service Commission is the statutory authority and employer of all teachers in Papua New Guinea, dedicated to maintaining professional standards and the welfare of the teaching service.

PNG Power Limited has announced a scheduled 24-hour shutdown of its Easipay system as part of a major upgrade aimed at improving service reliability and customer experience nationwide. The maintenance exercise will begin at 11:00PM on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and is expected to conclude at 11:00PM on Sunday, May 31, 2026. During the maintenance period, all Easipay services will be temporarily unavailable, meaning customers will not be able to purchase electricity tokens. PNG Power said the upgrade is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to modernize the Easipay platform to support faster transactions, stronger system resilience, and more stable long-term service delivery. PNG Power Chief Commercial Officer Lasith Bandara said the increasing demand on the Easipay platform made the upgrade necessary. “The Easipay platform has grown significantly in usage, and this upgrade is critical to ensuring it remains stable, secure, and responsive,” Bandara said. “Our technical teams will be working around the clock during the maintenance window to implement enhancements that will improve performance and reduce future disruptions.” “We appreciate our customers’ patience as we carry out this essential work.” Customers are being urged to purchase sufficient Easipay credit before the scheduled shutdown to avoid interruptions to their electricity supply during the maintenance period. PNG Power said customers requiring assistance or further information can contact the National Call Centre on 116, email callcentre@pngpower.com.pg, or reach the utility provider via WhatsApp on 7000 1009.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Papua New Guinea (CCEP PNG) has been confirmed as the Platinum Sponsor and Exclusive Non-Alcoholic Beverage Partner of the 70th Goroka Show, with the announcement made during the Sponsors Dinner held in Goroka on 1st May 2026.The iconic cultural event will run from 18–20 September 2026 at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, bringing together tribes, communities and international visitors to showcase traditional sing-sings, cultural attire and Papua New Guinea’s rich and diverse heritage. CCEP PNG Country Manager Tim Solly said the partnership reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting cultural celebrations across the country, noting that these events highlight what makes Papua New Guinea unique and bring communities together across generations. Regional Sales Manager Highlands Guthridge Songan also acknowledged the Goroka Show Committee for its dedication in sustaining the event for 70 years, saying CCEP PNG is proud to support its continued success and cultural significance.

Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has welcomed major progress in strategic cooperation between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and France following high-level discussions, where the redevelopment of the Rabaul Port was one of the agendas.The discussions were held on Tuesday, 19th May, in Paris with officials from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), French Government representatives, and European development partners. The discussions focused on several key areas of cooperation, including: redevelopment of the Port of Rabaul, renewable energy partnerships, climate and biodiversity conservation, green finance, and future economic cooperation between Papua New Guinea and France. Prime Minister Marape thanked France, AFD, the European Union and the European Investment Bank for their growing partnership with Papua New Guinea. “We came here not to ask for anything, but to say thank you for your partnership with Papua New Guinea,” Prime Minister Marape said. “We appreciate the work France and AFD are doing in our country, particularly in helping us build infrastructure, protect biodiversity, transition towards clean energy, and create a better future for our people and our planet.” Prime Minister Marape said one of the major outcomes of the meeting was confirmation that financing negotiations for the redevelopment of the Rabaul Port in East New Britain province, were now nearing completion. The Prime Minister said the project had recently received National Executive Council (NEC) approval and was expected to move towards signing in the coming weeks.

Over 20 Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) officers in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea were recently taken through two major training programs to assist them perform better in their duties. The IRC, under its reform and decentralization agenda, successfully conducted two major compliance and audit training programs for officers from the Highlands Region under the Regional Operations Division (ROD). The training sessions were facilitated by the Debt Strategy Policy Division (DSPD) led by Ms. Lorraine Yainter and Ms. Joanne Pokiton, followed by the Audit Strategy and Planning Division led by Acting Assistant Commissioner Mr. Casper Marru and team. The week-long training focused on debt management, audit strategies, compliance planning, SOPs, risk management, amended tax legislations, and the practical use of compliance tools to strengthen revenue collection and taxpayer compliance across the region. “A total of 23 officers attended the training, including Provincial Managers, Senior Compliance Officers, and newly recruited Compliance Officers,” stated the Acting Commissioner of IRC, Mr. Sam Loi The Director Highlands Region Mr. Collin Kuti thanked the facilitators for imparting valuable knowledge and skills to officers and requested more specialized trainings in the future to further strengthen regional capacity. The IRC will continue rolling out staff capacity building program, decentralization of operations, and improving tax compliance administration throughout Papua New Guinea.

Newmont Lihir Gold Ltd has delivered the highest first instalment corporate tax payment to the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) this year all thanks to good global gold prices.The Acting Commissioner General (CG) Mr. Sam Loi upon receiving the cheque recently, acknowledged Newmont, Lihir Gold Ltd for delivering the highest first instalment corporate tax payment of K852 million — a substantial increase from K92.4 million paid during the corresponding period last year, and the highest first instalment contribution recorded in the sector to date. The Acting CG stated that the strong outcome reflects the value of constructive engagement and close collaboration between the IRC and the extractive sector, particularly through transparent administration in accordance with prevailing market-based valuation principles under the tax legislation. He noted that the assessment was driven by prevailing international gold prices, with the IRC applying current market value benchmarks to ensure that the taxes assessed and paid accurately reflect the sector’s earnings performance. He further emphasized that the advance corporate tax system is grounded in the principle of paying tax in line with current-year quarterly earnings and profitability reflecting real-time profitability and economic activity. “This result demonstrates what is possible when there are transparency, compliance, and mutual confidence between the State and industry. Strong commodity prices are expected to translate into fair and timely returns to the country, and the IRC remains duty bound to administering the tax system with integrity, consistency, and commercial awareness,” the Acting CG said. The payment highlights the growing contribution of the resources sector to national revenue and reinforces the importance of predictable tax administration, responsible corporate citizenship, and continued partnership in supporting PNG’s economic future.

Young PNG talent Phillip Coates is determined to make every NRL opportunity count in 2026 as he pushes for a dream debut with the PNG Kumuls at the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC).The 19-year-old winger recently experienced the intensity of top-flight rugby league during his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos at Magic Round, where he faced a fired-up Warriors crowd in one of the game’s biggest annual spectacles. Despite admitting he was initially overwhelmed by the pace of the match, Coates still managed to produce a memorable highlight that caught the attention of fans and selectors alike. The rookie soared above defenders to collect a bullet pass from Reece Walsh before producing a skilful offload that bounced perfectly into the hands of Broncos captain Adam Reynolds for a crucial try. “It was very surreal,” Coates said after the match. “I missed out on a couple in the first half, so I knew I needed to be better. To catch that one and help set up Reyno’s try was pretty special.” The teenager laughed as he reflected on the play. “Lucky he was on the inside and scored the try, so it made me look good.” Although Brisbane fell short on the scoreboard, Coates said making his NRL debut during Magic Round was a moment he would never forget. “It was a great atmosphere with so many people there.” “It’s definitely a lot faster than Q-Cup. In the first half it felt really quick, but I settled into the game more during the second half.” Adding to the emotional occasion was the presence of his older brother, Melbourne Storm star Xavier Coates, who flew to Brisbane to present Phillip with his debut jersey before kick-off. The moment carried extra significance for the young winger, who credits his brother as one of his biggest mentors. “It was pretty special having him present my jersey.” “He told me to keep things simple and not change anything just because it was a big game. He said to treat it like any other game.” Phillip said Xavier’s journey continues to inspire him both on and off the field. “He is someone I always go to for advice. He is still young himself but has been through a lot in rugby league, so I really value everything he tells me.” The rising star now hopes to follow directly in his brother’s footsteps by earning selection for Papua New Guinea at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.  Coates represented the Junior Kumuls in 2024 and says wearing PNG colours gave him a deeper understanding of what representing the nation truly means. “It’s definitely been on my mind,” he said. “I would love to represent the Kumuls in the World Cup, but I know I’ve just got to keep performing and keep improving.” The young winger is focused on building confidence and consistency, hoping more NRL opportunities will come his way later this season. “I’m just working hard on the little things in Q-Cup and hopefully I can get a couple more games.” The PNG Kumuls will begin their RLWC2026 campaign at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, taking on Lebanon on October 17 before facing Samoa on October 24. They will then travel to Wollongong to face England at WIN Stadium on October 30 in what could prove to be a decisive clash for a finals berth. While competition for spots at the Broncos remains strong, Coates continues to impress in the Queensland Cup with the Burleigh Bears, scoring seven tries in six games this season. If his development continues at its current pace, the young flyer may soon find himself living another childhood dream- pulling on the Kumuls jersey on rugby league’s biggest stage.

A local community in Markham district in Morobe, capable of producing up to three tonnes of dry cocoa beans monthly, is entering a prosperous new era.Driven by the Markham District Development Authority (MDDA) to unlock its full potential, the community recently celebrated the launch of the Sagub Feeder Road, a solar water supply system, and Wampua Elementary School. Funded and initiated by the MDDA in 2025, these projects are set to transform local cocoa production, the backbone of the community's livelihood. MDDA Chairman (MP) Koni Iguan emphasized that these developments are about driving economic growth through agriculture, noting, “The area has proven potential in cocoa production. With proper infrastructure like road access, farmers can now increase supply, reach markets easily, and improve their income.” For years, farmers faced gruelling challenges, carrying heavy cocoa bags up to four kilometers to reach the nearest highway, which severely limited production and discouraged expansion. The completion of the feeder road has finally changed that reality, providing direct highway access and opening doors for increased production and better market reach. Complementing this, the solar-powered water supply system has vastly improved daily living conditions, freeing families from hours of searching for water so they can focus on productive farming. Meanwhile, the establishment of Wampua Elementary School secures long-term development, keeping children educated locally while supporting the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. With this vital infrastructure in place, community leaders report a surge of interest among farmers looking to expand their cocoa blocks and transform the area into the district's leading cocoa hub. Local businessman Mathew Yapi, who operates a family-joint-venture cocoa fermentary, shared that the new road has already catalyzed business growth. “Because of the road access, we have gone into a joint venture to expand our cocoa fermentaries and also invest in Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs) to support transport,” Yapi said. He noted that if market conditions remain favorable, local producers are eager to scale up even further, adding, “If cocoa prices maintain, we will need support from the district to guide us in getting an export license so we can export Markham cocoa to overseas markets.” Backed by strong leadership and rising local investment, Wampua is now firmly on track to turn its agricultural potential into a sustainable economic future.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop has congratulated the PNG Barramundis for their impressive performance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Japan, held from May 8 to 18.Governor Parkop praised the team for their dedication, discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship, saying their achievements have brought pride to both Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea (PNG). “The PNG Barramundis have once again shown the strength of unity and commitment. Their achievement reflects what our country can accomplish when we work together with determination and purpose,” Governor Parkop said. He highlighted that many members of the Barramundis squad come from Port Moresby, especially the Motu Koita community and the coastal village of Hanuabada, widely regarded as the home of cricket in Papua New Guinea. Governor Parkop also acknowledged the outstanding achievement of Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Sese Bau, and John Kariko, who were all named in the Tournament Best 12 — the highest number of selections from any team in the competition. “This achievement is not only a proud moment for Port Moresby but for the entire nation. It reflects the growth and potential of cricket in PNG, as well as the hard work and commitment of our players and the team as a whole,” he said. On behalf of the people of the National Capital District, Governor Parkop extended his congratulations to the players, coaching staff, Cricket PNG, supporters, and families who continue to support the national side. He said sport continues to play a powerful role in uniting the country and inspiring young Papua New Guineans to pursue excellence, discipline, and national pride. “As the Barramundis return home to Port Moresby, we warmly welcome them and thank them for representing Papua New Guinea with pride and distinction. Their success has brought excitement and joy to our people,” Governor Parkop stated. He also encouraged Papua New Guineans to continue supporting the Barramundis as they continue their journey toward the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Governor Parkop concluded by congratulating the team once again, saying the city and the nation proudly celebrate their success.

Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Korea are celebrating a historic milestone as they officially mark the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral diplomatic relations.To commemorate this golden jubilee, Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkachenko extended his warmest greetings and heartfelt congratulations to his counterpart, Foreign Minister His Excellency Cho Hyun, as well as the Government and people of the Republic of Korea. This anniversary highlights a half-century of growing diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties that have steadily evolved since the two nations first formalized their relationship. Reflecting on the enduring strength of this relationship, Minister Tkachenko stated, “Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1976, the Republic of Korea has remained a steadfast friend and valued partner for Papua New Guinea. Over the past five decades, our bilateral relations have flourished on the firm foundations of mutual respect, trust, friendship, and shared aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity. The republic of Korea’s remarkable journey of economic transportation and national development continues to serve a source of inspiration for PNG’s own development aspirations.” This shared history has allowed both countries to collaborate on numerous fronts, establishing a reliable alliance in the Asia-Pacific region. A cornerstone of this bilateral success has been the consistent developmental aid and knowledge-sharing flowing from Seoul to Port Moresby. “As we commemorate this historic Golden Jubilee, I wish to convey our sincere appreciation for the Republic of Korea’s unwavering support and partnership, particularly through the valuable technical and financial assistance provided under the auspices of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and other bilateral cooperation frameworks. These contributions have played a significant role in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s human resource capacity, infrastructure development, and institutional resilience,” Minister Tkachenko noted, emphasizing how crucial this support has been for PNG's national growth. A major highlight of this milestone year is the physical return of South Korea's premier development agency to the PNG capital, signaling an era of even closer collaboration. In this regard, Minister Tkachenko added, “Papua New Guinea warmly welcomes the re-establishment of the KOICA Office in Port Moresby after fourteen years. This important milestone reflects the growing depth and dynamism of our bilateral cooperation, and I wish to assure Your Excellency of my Government’s full support and commitment towards facilitating KOICA’s meaningful engagement and development initiatives throughout our country.” This reopening is expected to streamline future aid, community projects, and infrastructure investments. Over the last half-century, the bilateral friendship has matured into a robust, forward-looking partnership characterized by expanding trade, investment, development cooperation, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. Papua New Guinea regards the Republic of Korea not just as a trusted development partner, but also as an important strategic economic partner in advancing sustainable and inclusive regional growth. In his reciprocal congratulatory message, the ROK Foreign Minister, His Excellency Cho Hyun, praised both national maintaining steady, reliable relations over the past five decades and reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to expanding ties. This mutual acknowledgment underscores the high level of respect shared between the two governments. Both nations view this 50-year mark not as a finish line, but as a launching pad for deeper diplomatic and economic integration. “As we mark our special anniversary, I look forward to our close collaboration to ensure that this milestone year serves as a springboard for an even stronger and broader partnership between our two countries in many areas of mutual interest over the next 50 years,” Minister Hyun stated. This sentiment reflects South Korea's broader foreign policy objectives of fostering deeper, mutually beneficial connections with Pacific Island nations. Looking ahead to the next fifty years, Papua New Guinea remains firmly committed to elevating and deepening bilateral relations to even greater heights. Both nations look forward to expanding strategic cooperation in emerging, and climate resilience, education, and innovation, ensuring that our partnership remains adaptive, resilient and responsive to evolving global opportunities and challenges. By focusing on these modern challenges, PNG and the Republic of Korea are ensuring their long-standing friendship remains highly relevant and impactful for future generations.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has reaffirmed its full commitment for the redevelopment of Buka Airport under the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program (CADIP III), following high-level consultations held last week between the National Airports Corporation (NAC), and consultant engineers from Korea Engineering Consultants Corporation (KECC) of South Korea and Hauslain Design.The consultations focused on the proposed major redevelopment works for Buka Airport, which will include the construction of a new airport terminal and extension of the existing runway infrastructure under the CADIP III program. The redevelopment is expected to significantly strengthen Bougainville’s aviation capacity and improve regional connectivity by supporting economic growth and position Buka as a strategic transport gateway for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. “The Autonomous Bougainville Government fully supports the project and is committed to working collaboratively with NAC and all relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the redevelopment program,” Mr. Nanei said. The Chief Secretary acknowledged that Bougainville had previously missed an earlier airport redevelopment opportunity in 2018 due to unresolved local issues and stressed that the region could not afford to lose another transformative infrastructure opportunity of this scale. Mr. Nanei further called on the people of Ieta and all customary landowning clans associated with the Buka Airport precinct to work collaboratively with the ABG and NAC to ensure there are no unnecessary hindrances to the implementation of the project. Mr. Nanei reiterated the ABG’s commitment to ensuring all necessary government coordination and stakeholder facilitation engagements are undertaken to progress the project efficiently under the CADIP III framework. Further updates on the project, including stakeholder consultations and implementation timelines, will be communicated as planning progresses. Photo caption: ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei with representatives from NAC, KECC of South Korea, and Hauslain Design during consultations on the proposed Buka Airport redevelopment project under CADIP III.