PNG & Pacific News

PORT MORESBY, 14 AUGUST 2026 (DEVPOLICY.ORG) —Papua New Guinea’s agricultural production has been in steady decline for more than two decades, and continued emphasis on policies and legislation will not reverse the trend without a fundamental change in how farming is carried out on the ground. The decline began around 1990 with the Bougainville crisis, […]

PORT MORESBY, 14 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The PNG Chiefs have stepped up their pursuit of former NRL star Joey Manu, with the NRL expansion side continuing to build a strong squad for its historic NRL debut in 2028. Manu recently travelled to Port Moresby and met with the club as part of discussions about a

SUVA, 14 AUGUST 2026 (SPC)—A death certificate records a life’s end. But when the medical cause is not coded consistently, governments lose part of the picture they need to understand and prevent avoidable deaths in future. Seven Pacific countries are working together to change that. A Pacific partnership is helping countries to better use and

AUCKLAND, 14 AUCKLAND 2026 (OFC)—The draw for the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup 2026 has been confirmed at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland, New Zealand. The OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup returns to Tahiti for the first time in three years, with five teams from across

PORT MORESBY, 13 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL)–A major pay gap between Australia and the other 13 nations competing at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup has raised fresh questions about fairness in international rugby league. Australian players selected for the Kangaroos will receive a flat AUD$40,000 (K124,984) each for representing their country at the World

PORT MORESBY, 13 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Brian To’o’s character away from rugby league was a major factor in the PNG Chiefs’ decision to sign the Penrith Panthers star winger, club general manager of football Michael Chammas has said. To’o has agreed to join the PNG Chiefs from 2028, adding another major name to the new

PORT MORESBY, 13 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — The Papua New Guinea Government plans to establish a policy of reciprocity in its visa arrangements with other countries, says Prime Minister James Marape. Marape said that it was not directed specifically at the United States (U.S) which recently imposed a refundable visa bond of K88,000 (US$20,000)

PORT MORESBY, 13 AUGUST 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — While parts of the country are already experiencing dry conditions, the National Weather Services (NWS) says the peak period between October and November is yet to come. NWS assistant director Benjamin Malai told The National that rain over the weekend in some parts of the country is

KOROR, 13 AUGUST 2026 (ABC PACIFIC) — In the final days of May, a Chinese research vessel ventured 74 kilometres into Palau’s waters and reportedly spent 14 hours moving slowly through the island nation’s maritime zone. With a bow built to push through a metre of Arctic sea ice, the 89-metre icebreaker, Ji Di, might

PORT MORESBY, 12 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS/FFA)—The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has stepped up technical support for Papua New Guinea’s tuna industry as it prepares for tighter European Union food safety and market access requirements. The FFA Market Access Team completed a technical mission to PNG from 28 July to 7 August 2026, working