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Read the latest news stories from the PNGAA here...


World War II Fighter Wreck of America's Top Ace Recovered in Papua New Guinea
The provided link contains a press release regarding a major aviation archaeology recovery from July 2026. Here is the summary: "Marge" Returns Home A team from the nonprofit organization Pacific Wrecks successfully recovered one of the most famous aircraft wrecks of World War II from the dense jungles of Papua New Guinea. The artifact is the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane assigned to Major Richard I. Bong, America's all-time top flying Ace who is credited with 40 conf

John Mayers
10 hours ago1 min read


Legacy of Papua New Guinea's elderly missionaries
The article details the enduring legacy and profound wisdom of elder missionaries who dedicated their lives to serving in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Key Themes Hearts Remain in Papua New Guinea: Although many of these aging missionaries have physically returned to Europe, they remain entirely connected to PNG in spirit. Looking back on their lives, they express zero regrets and state they would make the exact same choice to serve again. Foundational Impact: The missionaries play

John Mayers
Jul 101 min read


A new species of walking shark? Only in PNG...
Scientists have officially discovered a brand new species of walking shark in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea: the Dudgeon walking shark (Hemiscyllium dudgeonae). Named after marine scientist Christine Dudgeon, who first spotted it during a night dive, this little creature marks only the 10th known species of walking shark in the world. Here are the key takeaways from the discovery: Distinctive Looks: Unlike other walking sharks that sport larger, leopard-like spots, this meter-l

John Mayers
Jul 21 min read


Port Moresby's water supply network showing 'signs of imminent failure'
A report by the ABC’s Pacific correspondents in Port Moresby, Marian Faa and Theckla Gunga highlights that decades of underinvestment in Port Moresby's water supply system has left it in a ‘fragile state’ with multiple leaks.

andrea
Jun 243 min read


US troops on EOD duty for World War II bombs
Papua New Guinea World War II EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) operations. If this is part of the ongoing multi-national unexploded ordnance (UXO) recovery efforts in the South Pacific, it typically details: Operation Render Safe: The long-standing, Australian-led multinational mission (frequently featuring U.S. Marines, Navy personnel, and partners from New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and the UK) to safely locate, evaluate, and detonate dangerous, decaying World War II-era bomb

John Mayers
Jun 231 min read


Boats blocked in Papua New Guinea due to floating pumice
The video is a short news clip from Reuters about the aftermath of an undersea volcanic eruption off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The eruption has created massive "rafts" of pumice—a highly porous, lightweight volcanic rock that floats on water. These floating pumice masses are so thick that they are clogging the local waterways, making it extremely difficult for boats to navigate and essentially creating a rocky roadblock right in the middle of the ocean. Mother Nature rea

John Mayers
Jun 111 min read


Papua New Guinea Malaria Deaths Fall by 92%
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has achieved a massive public health milestone by slashing its malaria mortality rate by 92%—dropping from 13 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants down to just 1. What makes this victory remarkable is that it was accomplished entirely without a vaccine rollout, relying instead on a coordinated execution of classic prevention and treatment tools. The Key Numbers The Death Toll: Annual malaria deaths nationwide plummeted from 700 in the year 2000 down to 148 la

John Mayers
Jun 71 min read


A Resue in Remote PNG
Remote Lifeline: In the mountainous highlands of Papua New Guinea, where medical care is virtually non-existent, a specialized helicopter medevac service provides a critical lifeline [00:00]. Emergency Rescue: The video follows the rescue of a weak and ill patient named Lucy [00:18]. Too sick to walk, her helpers carry her on a handmade bush stretcher [00:15] to reach the helicopter crew, led by head nurse Audrey Taula [00:24]. Hospital Hurdles: Lucy is rushed to Angau Memori

John Mayers
May 281 min read


Eruption of an Underwater Volcano in the Bismarck Sea
The most prominent "Bismarck Sea volcano" research from GEOMAR centers on Ritter Island. In March 1888, the Ritter Island volcano experienced a massive sector collapse—a 4-cubic-kilometer chunk of the island slid into the sea—triggering a devastating tsunami that reached shorelines up to 600 kilometers away. GEOMAR scientists have extensively studied the seafloor deposits left by this event to create benchmarks for modeling landslide-generated tsunamis. Other research in the

John Mayers
May 231 min read


Book Launch: 'The Fox Brothers in New Guinea'.
This event has already occurred however, if you wish to purchase the book, please email rogersouthern99@gmail.com for details including cost and postage to your postal address. Join the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau for the launch of The Fox Brothers in New Guinea. This book tells the extraordinary story of twin brothers, Tom and Jack Fox, who served in WWI before becoming elite "outside men" and gold prospectors in Papua New Guinea. Date: Wednesday 27 May. Time: 09:30 - 10:

John Mayers
May 172 min read


Starlink Ban to be Removed after Court Decides
The article from Radio New Zealand reports that a ban on the satellite internet provider Starlink has been overturned by the National Court in Papua New Guinea (PNG), allowing the service to resume operations in the country. Here is a summary of the key developments: 1. The Court Ruling The National Court of PNG quashed the previous ban, which had been implemented by the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA). The court ruled that the decision to

John Mayers
May 62 min read


PNG missing out on the Pacific remittances boom
The article "PNG missing out on the Pacific remittances boom," published on May 6, 2026, by the Devpolicy Blog, details why Papua New Guinea (PNG) is lagging behind its Pacific neighbors in benefiting from regional labor mobility schemes. Here is a summary of the key findings: 1. The Remittance Gap While countries like Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, and Timor-Leste are experiencing a "remittance boom" due to labor schemes in Australia (PALM) and New Zealand (RSE), PNG remains a signi

John Mayers
May 62 min read


Digital Poverty in PNG
Digital poverty in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is characterized by a significant connectivity gap compared to its Asia-Pacific neighbors, driven largely by the country's difficult geography and economic monopolies. Current Connectivity Landscape Access vs. Usage: While internet access was introduced in 1997, true internet penetration remains at about 32% (3.3 million users). Although roughly 60% of adults have used the internet at least once, only 36% have a consistent mobile conn

John Mayers
Apr 252 min read


11 Dead after Cyclone Maila Destroys Parts of PNG
The article from The National details the devastating impact of Cyclone Maila across five provinces in Papua New Guinea, leading to at least 12 confirmed deaths and widespread infrastructure damage. Key Impacts and Casualties Fatalities: 11 deaths were reported in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), primarily due to landslides and flooding in the Kongara and Kieta areas. One death occurred on Gawa Island in Milne Bay when a falling coconut tree struck a man atte

John Mayers
Apr 151 min read


PNG Population and Demography in Graphs
The population and demography of Papua New Guinea (PNG) reflect a nation experiencing steady growth and a relatively young age structure. Based on the data from Our World in Data, here is a summary of the key indicators as of 2023: Population Size and Growth Total Population: Estimated at 10.39 million in 2023. Growth Rate: The population is growing at a rate of 1.8% annually. While significant, this is a slight decrease from higher historical growth rates. Future Project

John Mayers
Apr 82 min read


PNG Govt launches foreign policy blueprint
PNG government changing values

John Mayers
Apr 11 min read


Turning Resource Wealth into Jobs Key to PNG’s Development Ambitions
The World Bank’s press release, "Turning Resource Wealth into Jobs Key to PNG’s Development Ambitions," (March 23, 2026) outlines a roadmap for Papua New Guinea (PNG) to transform its natural resource wealth into sustainable economic growth and human capital. The summary of the key findings and recommendations is as follows: 1. The Challenge: A Disconnect Between Wealth and Results Despite a rapidly expanding resource sector where production nearly doubled between 2013 and 2

John Mayers
Mar 252 min read


1 year after Papua New Guinea declared itself Christian, bishops say little has changed
According to the EWTN News report, one year after Papua New Guinea (PNG) passed a constitutional amendment to formally declare itself a Christian nation, Catholic leaders suggest the change has been largely symbolic with little impact on the country's actual social or political issues. The key points of the report include: The Constitutional Change The Amendment: In March 2025, PNG's Parliament voted 80–4 to amend the constitution's preamble to explicitly acknowledge the Tri

John Mayers
Mar 202 min read


Two Marsupials Re-emerge in New Guinea Rainforests After 6,000 Years
Two marsupial species previously known only from 6,000-year-old fossil records have been documented alive in the remote rainforests of West Papua, New Guinea. Researchers, including renowned biologist Tim Flannery, identified these "Lazarus species"—taxa that reappear after a long absence from the fossil record—through a combination of new photographs, museum specimen re-examination, and recent field observations. The two species identified are: The Pygmy Long-Fingered Pos

John Mayers
Mar 121 min read


Chiefs to provide huge economic boost to PNG
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape views the entry of the PNG Chiefs into the NRL (slated for 2028) as much more than a sporting milestone. He positions the team as a long-term business, nation-building, and unification strategy for the country. Key Points: Massive Economic Boost: By 2028, Port Moresby anticipates an influx of 3,000 to 5,000 visitors every second week for home games. This consistent tourism is expected to inject millions of Kina into the local econ

John Mayers
Feb 251 min read
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