MOU TO STRENGTHEN CULTURE, ARTS & REGIONAL COOPERATION

PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (26 May 2026): A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently formalized between the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat and the Papua New Guinea National Cultural Commission aims to strengthen culture, arts and regional cooperation.

While signing the MOU, PNG Minister for Arts, Culture & Tourism, Honourable Belden Namah, highlighted the importance of regional cultural cooperation.

He said that while the MOU formalizes cooperation in culture, arts and regional partnership amongst Melanesian countries, it demonstrated a shared commitment to collaboration in promoting and preserving the Melanesian culture, heritage and the Melanesian way.

The collaboration he said, will help build stronger cultural connections and cooperation moving forward.

Acting Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Ilan Kiloe expressed his appreciation to Hon. Namah and the Government and people of Papua New Guinea for their commitment to advancing Melanesian culture.

He said the MSG was excited and proud to sign the MOU as it reflected a shared commitment to promote, protect and advance the living cultures of our people across Melanesia.

ADG Kiloe welcomed the partnership stating it will strengthen ties between Members through culture and shared values, underscoring the significance of the Melanesian way of life.

#msgnews

Photos: SUPPLIED

See less

MOTUANS – A FORGOTTEN PEOPLE

Hon. Keith Iduhu’s call for a decentralised, district-based service town model in Central Province is not just an administrative proposal—it is a cry for justice for the Motuan people. For decades, the designation of Port Moresby as the National Capital District has created a paradox: while the city has grown into the political and economic hub of Papua New Guinea, the very people whose land it sits upon have been steadily marginalized. The Motuans, once central to the cultural and social fabric of the region, now find themselves sidelined in their own homeland.

The growth of Port Moresby has brought infrastructure, commerce, and national prominence, but it has also eroded the Motuan way of life. Villages have been swallowed by urban expansion, traditional land rights have been diminished, and cultural institutions have weakened under the weight of modernization. Central Province itself has been overshadowed, with resources and opportunities concentrated in the capital while surrounding districts remain underdeveloped. This imbalance is not merely economic—it strikes at the heart of sovereignty. A nation cannot claim to be truly sovereign if it fails to protect the dignity and heritage of its first peoples.

Decentralisation offers a pathway to restore balance and dignity. By establishing service towns across Central Province, development can be distributed more equitably, reducing dependency on Port Moresby and empowering local communities to thrive. Such a model would allow Motuan villages and traditions to be revitalised rather than subsumed under the pressures of urbanisation. It would also strengthen political representation, ensuring that governance is closer to the people and that Motuans, along with other Central Province communities, have a stronger voice in shaping their future.

This is not simply about infrastructure—it is about identity, justice, and sovereignty. Protecting the Motuan people means protecting the soul of Papua New Guinea. Decentralisation is both a practical necessity and a moral obligation. Practically, it will ease the burden on Port Moresby, create new economic hubs, and foster balanced growth across the province. Morally, it will restore dignity to the Motuan people, whose cultural survival is inseparable from the nation’s integrity. Sovereignty is not only about political independence—it is about ensuring that no community is sacrificed for the convenience of others.

The Motuans must no longer be forgotten. Their rights, heritage, and future must be safeguarded through deliberate policy and structural reform. Hon. Iduhu’s call is therefore a timely reminder that true nationhood requires justice for all its peoples irrespective..

#HiriKoiari #CentralProvince #Decentralisation #KeithIduhu #ProvincialDevelopment

Photo Credit: Umi Blo Ples

LAND TITLES ARE NOT FREE: GOVERNOR PARKOP CLARIFIES RESETTLEMENT POSITION FOR 2 MILE FAMILIES

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has clarified that land titles issued to families affected by the 2 Mile relocation are not free and will not be given away at no cost, as part of the government’s commitment to lawful and dignified urban development.

Governor Parkop stressed that while settlers and those at 2 Mile are being supported to resettle properly, ownership of land within the city must follow due process and payment, that has always been the case for state land in Papua New Guinea.

“No one has ever received free land titles inside state land or within the city,” Governor Parkop said.

“Even Public servants who serve this country do not get land for free, so nobody should expect free titles.”

He confirmed that 80 families being relocated from 2 Mile have been allocated properly surveyed land with legal titles at 6 Mile, and that these titles have either been paid for already or will be paid for over time.

“This is about giving our people dignity, security, and a lawful pathway to ownership.”

Governor Parkop explained that many people living in settlements do so not by choice, but because access to affordable land and housing in Port Moresby has been difficult for decades.

High rental costs and slow land administration processes have pushed families into informal settlements.

“Our people want to live in proper homes,” he said. “They want to raise their children in safety and dignity. But when access to land is denied or delayed, we condemn our people to settlements.”

He reiterated that the relocation from 2 Mile is necessary due to the construction of Sir Hubert Murray road, which has taken up land previously occupied by homes.

“We do not have a choice but to relocate,” Governor Parkop said. “Where the road goes, water and power follows. This is how we must plan our city.”

Governor Parkop highlighted examples across the city, including 9 Mile, 8 Mile, Vadavada and Taurama Valley, where residents have accessed land legally, paid for their titles, and gone on to build permanent homes and businesses.

“At 9 Mile, people have built good homes and even guesthouses because they were given security of title,” he said. “That is what happens when we trust our people.”

Governor Parkop said his administration is committed to transforming settlements into properly planned suburbs, but emphasized that this cannot be done through free handouts.

“We must stop the mindset that land should be given for free,” he said. “We must work, save, and pay for it — that is how we build pride, responsibility, and long-term security.”

He confirmed that funding has been allocated in the NCD budget to support resettlement and upgrading of settlements, including surveying, subdivision, road access, and basic services, to ensure relocated families can rebuild their lives properly.

50 years now as a nation, Governor Parkop called for a shift in thinking starting from the government down to the people.

“Our children are our legacy,” he said. “We must plan properly today so that they can live in a better tomorrow.

Secure land titles — earned, not given — are part of that future.” Governor Parkop concluded.

The treatment of the Goilala people in Port Moresby is not a misunderstanding

The treatment of the Goilala people in Port Moresby is not a misunderstanding, not an accident, and not an isolated social problem—it is a direct consequence of a political and governance system that has failed to deliver development, justice, and inclusion. It exposes an uncomfortable truth about Papua New Guinea: we have become a state that is quicker to blame its vulnerable citizens than to confront its own failures.

Goilala people did not migrate to Port Moresby because they wanted conflict or crime. They came because their district was neglected—roads were not built, services were not sustained, economic opportunities were not created, and hope was not delivered. Like many Papua New Guineans, they moved to the capital in search of survival and dignity. Yet, instead of recognising this as a failure of policy and leadership, the state has chosen to criminalise their presence in the city.

The Goilala people are not merely residents of Port Moresby today—they are contributors to nation-building. Their forefathers played a vital role in the very creation and growth of Port Moresby, helping to build the city’s infrastructure, communities, and economy. Today, their descendants continue to contribute through work in markets, construction, small businesses, security, transport, churches, and community initiatives, supporting families in rural districts and sustaining urban life. To label them as criminals or outsiders is not only false—it is a betrayal of their legacy and their ongoing contribution to the nation.

Yet, in Port Moresby, Goilala communities are too often treated as suspects rather than citizens. Settlements are targeted, homes are destroyed, families are displaced, youths are profiled, and women in markets are harassed—not because they are criminals, but because they belong to a group that has been politically labelled as a problem. This is not law and order; it is collective punishment. It is not justice; it is discrimination. And it is not leadership; it is the avoidance of responsibility.

The role of the police in this context raises serious questions about professionalism and legitimacy. A police force that resorts to intimidation, ethnic profiling, and collective punishment is not demonstrating strength—it is revealing weakness. Such conduct is unbecoming of a national law enforcement institution and unworthy of a democratic state. The duty of the police is to protect citizens, not to terrorise them; to enforce the law, not to undermine it.

The danger of this approach is not only moral but political. When a state normalises ethnic scapegoating, it plants the seeds of division and instability. When people lose trust in the law, they stop believing in the state. When communities feel hunted rather than protected, they become alienated, resentful, and vulnerable to violence and manipulation. No nation can endure when its own citizens feel like enemies of the state.

The truth is uncomfortable but unavoidable: the Goilala people are not the problem. The problem is a governance model that neglects rural districts, mismanages urban growth, criminalises poverty, and uses force to mask policy failure. Crime must be confronted, but crime cannot be defeated by targeting communities instead of causes. Law and order cannot be built on fear; it must be built on justice, opportunity, and equality.

Papua New Guinea now faces a defining choice. We can continue to blame marginalised communities and deepen division, or we can confront the structural failures that created this crisis and rebuild a system that delivers development in the districts, inclusion in the cities, and fairness in the enforcement of law. History will not judge us by how harshly we treated the vulnerable, but by whether we had the courage to admit that the Goilala experience is not a threat to the nation—it is a warning that the nation must reform, or it will fracture under the weight of its own injustice.

MEGANESIA CONCERT DELIVERS MESSAGE OF UNITY, CELEBRATION

More than 12,000 people attended the first-ever Meganesia Concert at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium on Saturday evening.

The stadium came alive with music, colour, and excitement. People started arriving hours before the gates opened at 3 pm.

The concert was a major cultural event leading up to Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary in 2025.

NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop gave an official speech. He praised the teamwork between Indigenous artists from Australia and PNG. He said Meganesia was a celebration of shared culture, identity, and dreams.

Governor Parkop thanked the Australian High Commission, NCDC, Amazing Port Moresby, and Gaba Musik for their support.

He spoke about PNG’s journey since independence and highlighted the strong relationship between PNG and Australia in education, health, disaster response, and development.

He also talked about the deep cultural connection between Indigenous Australians and the people of Western New Guinea.

Governor Parkop thanked all the performers, especially the famous Australian band Yothu Yindi, which includes four PNG members.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Mr. Wen McDonald, also spoke at the event. He praised the concert and the strong PNG-Australia relationship.

He highlighted performances by artists like Sprigga Mek, the 2019 Pacific Break winner, as a great example of regional talent.

Meganesia used music, dance, and stories to send a powerful message of unity. The crowd left the stadium feeling happy and hopeful.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape said another concert will be held on September 14–16. It will celebrate PNG’s 50th independence with local artists, traditional dancers, and cultural performances.

CHINA DAY SHINES BRIGHT AT SIR HUBERT MURRAY STADIUM: PM MARAPE, GOVERNOR PARKOP HONOUR 50-YEAR CHINA-PNG FRIENDSHIP

By Steven Kenda | PNG SUN|

As the Asian story continues, the China Day was celebrated on Sunday at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby. 

The event was hosted by NCD Governor Powes Parkop. 

It showed the strong relationship between Papua New Guinea and the Republic of China. The event was aimed at celebrating PNG-China relationship and China's contribution towards PNG's 50-year political journey.

This celebration also helped build excitement and momentum for PNG's 50th Independence Anniversary on September 16, 2025.

China Day on Sunday (June 15th, 2025) was full of colour, fun, and excitement with signature Dragon Dance and others.

 The Chinese Community shared their rich culture, delicious food, and amazing performances.

 There were fun activities like raffle draws, tug of war, and Chinese drumming lessons. 

This weekend will be the Indian Day, celebrating PNG-India relationship while enhanching India's contribution towards PNG's 50-year journey.

Governor Parkop told the crowd that it was an important day. 

He said PNG and China have been friends for a long time. China was one of the first countries to build relations with PNG in 1974–1975.

He said it has been a journey between two countries and two peoples.

He added that China has supported PNG for many years. Their relationship started even before official ties were made. 

Governor Parkop said history shows Chinese people came to PNG in the 13th and 14th centuries. Later, during colonial times, the Japanese brought more Chinese people to PNG.

Governor Parkop highlighted areas where China helped PNG:

■Education

■Health

■Roads and buildings

■Business and trade

He continued these are important partnerships. 

"That’s why China is a big part of PNG’s 50th anniversary," Governor Parkop who also said PNG should plan for the next 50 years by working with China and other Pacific and Asian countries.

Prime Minister James Marape also spoke at the event.

PM Marape praised Governor Parkop for always supporting Asia-Pacific communities in PNG.

He thanked the Chinese communities and China’s Ambassador, Yang Xiagoguang, for attending.

 PM Marape continued the Chinese people have helped shape modern PNG.

Their presence, he said, has been here for over 100 years.

PM Marape said he values the Chinese people and the Chinese government. 

He thanked them for supporting PNG for the last 50 years.

China’s Ambassador, Mr. Yang Xiagoguang, congratulated PNG on its 50th anniversary. 

He thanked PM Marape and Governor Parkop for supporting the Chinese community in PNG.

He said the people-to-people friendship between China and PNG is strong. 

Chinese communities, he said, are the second-largest cultural group in PNG.

Seventh Day Adventist Church and Community Win Legal Battle Against Company and Government

The National Court at Waigani has awarded over K4 Million damages in favour of Morata One Seventh-Day Adventist Church and 22 other Block Holders of Morata One against Sixth Estate Limited.

The eviction was carried out at Morata One suburb in the National Capital District (NCD) between 12th and 14th of October 2022. 

The SDA church and the other 22 Block Holders carried out their own investigations and it was established that the eviction conducted was illegal and improper. They then engaged a lawyer, Silas Kaule of Kaule Legal and filed court proceedings against the company and the State. 

They claimed in the proceedings that the company and the Police had conducted an eviction on the settlers on a parcel of land owned by the company known as Portion 2733 Morata, but during the process of the eviction, encroached or trespassed onto a nearby land occupied by the SDA church and the other 22 Block Holders. 

The nearby land occupied by the SDA church and the other 22 Block Holders was totally outside the boundary of Portion 2733. 

It was alleged, amongst other things, that the company’s action was illegal in that it did not have title to the nearby land and furthermore, there was no court order authorizing the eviction to be carried out by the company on that part of the nearby land. 

The National Court presided by Justice John Carey handed down the decision on April 17 2025 in favour of the Church and the other 22 Block Holders and awarded them damages of over K4 million, covering loss of Church buildings, Block Holders’ properties, breach of constitutional rights and costs.     

Picture caption: Church members triumphant as Court favors them.