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Pacific Cycle, Port Moresby (2026)

10/01/2026

Awawi waterfall, Vanimo, West Sepik Province.
One of the most unique and beautiful sites in PNG 🇵🇬. Explore the beauty of Vanimo.

10/01/2026

The US Deputy Secretary of State Landau and PNG Prime Minister James Marape signed a Framework for Strategic Cooperation, underscoring mutual priorities for the next 50 years of the U.S.-PNG bilateral relationship.

The signing of this framework reflects the enduring partnership between the two nations and highlights the wide range of sectors for collaboration. Admiral Paparo, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Ann Marie Yastishock, joined for the signing.

“The United States has stood with PNG since day one, in 1975,” said U.S Ambassador Yastishock. “This framework builds on five decades of cooperation based on shared values and a shared vision of the future.”

The framework encompasses economic, commercial, and digital collaboration, as well as critical minerals and infrastructure development. Acknowledging the significant U.S. private sector investment in the extractives sector, the framework highlights cooperation in critical minerals extraction and processing, with a focus on sustainable development, investment competitiveness, and practices to benefit the local communities in which companies operate.

In addition to reaffirming how existing U.S. companies can contribute to PNG’s overall development, the framework states both nations will work together increasing U.S. investment in PNG, by collaborating on policies aimed to attract greater U.S. investment, including an increased focus on the use of trusted technology and strengthened cybersecurity practices.

Finally, the document reaffirms U.S. commitments, including the 2023 Defense Cooperation and Shiprider Agreements, the reoccurring Strategic Partnership Dialogue first held in Washington, DC, in 2024, and existing defense, maritime security and law enforcement capacity building and training programs.

“This Framework for Strategic Cooperation reflects the United States’ commitment to a comprehensive partnership with Papua New Guinea”, said Deputy Secretary Landau. “It not only strengthens our defense ties but also fosters economic growth, innovation, and shared prosperity.”

10/01/2026

Tā Moko — The Art of Identity 🖤🇳🇿

More than just tattooing, tā moko is a sacred Māori tradition — a story written on the skin. Each design speaks of whakapapa (ancestry), mana (prestige), and belonging.

There are three primary forms of moko:
👑 Facial moko (for men) – represents rank, lineage, and life achievements.
💫 Moko kauae (for women) – chin and lip designs symbolising mana wāhine and ancestry.
🌿 Body moko – on areas like thighs and hips, with flowing patterns representing strength, growth, and new beginnings.

Once suppressed, tā moko has re-emerged as a proud symbol of Māori identity and resilience. Each line tells a story, each curve carries history.

10/01/2026

Fiji has signed an Exchange of Notes with the Government of Japan for a grant of approximately FJD$12.6 million (JPY 864 million) to procure heavy machinery to strengthen road construction and maintenance works nationwide.

The Exchange of Notes was signed by the Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, and representatives of the Embassy of Japan.

The grant will enable the Ministry of Public Works to acquire essential equipment, including motor graders, excavators, wheel loaders, dump trucks, crane trucks and rollers. These assets will be deployed across the country to support road construction, rehabilitation and routine maintenance, with priority given to rural and maritime communities to improve access, safety and connectivity.

The new machinery will enhance the operational capacity of the re-established Public Works Department, contribute to climate-resilient infrastructure, and strengthen Fiji’s disaster response capability by allowing faster restoration of transport links following extreme weather events.

Under the arrangement, the capital cost of the machinery will be fully funded by Japan, while Fiji will meet operational costs such as transportation, fuel, maintenance, insurance and logistics through the normal budgetary process.

The agreement was legally vetted and endorsed following Cabinet approval, reaffirming the strong and long-standing development partnership between Fiji and Japan.

10/01/2026

Papua New Guinea Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (‘ICCC’) has announced new retail fuel prices for this month, which take effect on Thursday, 8th January 2026.

The ICCC stated that the Indicative Retail Prices (‘IRP’) for petrol, diesel and kerosene all decrease on average throughout the nation.

Port Moresby's prices stand at:
Petrol - K4.38;
Diesel - K4.20; and,
Kerosene - K3.91

"These retail price decreases are mainly attributed to diminished demand, as peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine progresses, and China’s economy stalls.
"This significantly caused the international prices for refined petroleum, products to decreased, as indicated by the significant decreases in the Import Parity Prices (IPPs), or the import-equivalent costs for importing refined products into Papua New Guinea".

The domestic retail fuel prices for this month (January) are inclusive of the IPP for each petroleum product, domestic sea and road freight rates for the first quarter of 2026, the approved annual wholesale and retail margins for 2026, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), including the applicable excise duties, among other parameters.

09/01/2026

The US Trump Administration has announced that it will withdraw from dozens of international organizations, including the world’s key climate treaty and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Headquartered in Samoa, SPREP has supported dozens of low-lying island states to raise awareness at UN climate conferences about the threat to their survival from rising sea levels caused by climate change.
The organization employs more than 150 staff across Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and runs programmes to reduce pollution, improve warning systems for severe weather and plan for disaster response to oil spills.

The US said it will withdraw from a total of 66 international and UN entities. The White House stated that the decision was taken because those entities no longer serve American interests and promote ineffective or hostile agendas.

07/01/2026

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN AVIATION COMPANY IN PNG HAS NO RELIABLE COMMUNICATION IN 2026?

Commentary By Matt Allen :

Lives are lost. Mothers and babies die waiting!

I know this firsthand. For 10 years, I flew a Cessna 206 in Gulf Province—six years based at remote Kanabea Airstrip, four from Port Moresby. Our main work? Medivacs. 90% were mothers in labour, often after 36+ hours. By the time we got the call, we were usually racing to save the mother. The baby was already gone.

How did remote communities reach us? Someone had to hike to a mountain peak for a faint signal—praying we had one too.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world is installing Starlink on aircraft: real-time weather, instant updates from destinations, fewer cancelled flights, lower costs, faster turnarounds. Safer, smarter aviation.
But not in PNG. NICTA ordered Starlink shut down over "licensing" issues tied to national security, sovereignty, and the Ombudsman Commission. (Allegedly.)

Now Manolos Aviation Limited just announced they'd bought 10
terminals for remote islands in Milne Bay Province and that investment into our nation was wasted.

The Result? Pilots fly blind into remote strips. No weather updates. No idea of conditions or passenger loads. We're operating like it's 1926, not 2026.

Back when I flew (2009-2019), we scrubbed 10% of flights due to weather—adding 10% to costs, burning fuel on useless turnarounds. Starlink could have changed that.
Sadly, we have chosen to be stuck in the past while mothers in labour suffer without timely medivacs.

Ombudsman Commission PNG: Please end this.
NICTA, Lift the directive. Let Starlink operate.
PM Hon. James Marape, speak up on the matter with the leadership we know you have.
Our struggling aviation industry depends on it.
Our remote communities depend on it.
Our mothers and babies depend on it—their lives literally hang in the balance.

07/01/2026

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐌𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄

SOLOMON ISLANDS CALLS FOR ALL NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD TO RESPECT THE PRINCIPLES AND PURPOSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER, IN PARTICUALR THE RESPECT FOR NATIONAL SOVEREIGNITY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF ALL STATES.

SOLOMON ISLANDS REITERATES ITS RESPECT FOR THE ONE CHINA PRINCIPLE, AND THAT TAIWAN IS AN INALIENABLE PART OF CHINA. ANY EXTERNAL MILITARY SUPPORT TO TAIWAN THREATENS PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE TAIWAIN STRAITS. SOLOMON ISLANDS NOTES, MEASURES TAKEN BY CHINA IN PROTECTING ITS SOVEREIGNITY AGAINST EXTERNAL COMPANIES INVOLVING IN ARMING TAIWAN.

SOLOMON ISLANDS FURTHER CALLS FOR ALL STATES TO SUPPORT A MULTILATERAL RULES BASED ORDER, THAT IS GUIDED BY INTERNATIONAL LAW. AND REFRAIN FROM TAKING ANY UNILATERAL ACTION THAT INTERFERS INTO THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF ANOTHER STATE.

SOLOMON ISLANDS WILL CONTINUE TO DEEPEN ITS RELATIONS WITH ALL PEACE-LOVING STATES, AND STRENGTHEN COOPERATION WITH CHINA TO BUILD A COMMUNITY WITH A SHARED PEACEFUL AND PROGRESSIVE FUTURE.

06/01/2026

10/10 FOR THIS LITTLE ISLAND PRINCESS🇸🇧💥

06/01/2026

Countries considered the safest if a global conflict like World War III were to occur. ⚔️

The selections are based on factors like geographic isolation, political neutrality, low international conflict involvement, and self-sufficiency.

These nations are generally far from major global military powers or alliances, and some are known for their peaceful foreign policies or remote island locations. The idea is that these places would be less likely to become targets or battle zones in the event of large-scale warfare.

06/01/2026

Papua New Guinea has officially opened a K130 million, 22-floor luxury residential apartment - The Paga Hill Paradise Apartments building, within the Paga Hill Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Port Moresby City.

This key investment focuses on transforming Port Moresby City and boosting economic activities in the nation's capital.

The building is located on the Port Moresby beachfront, overlooking the old Fairfax harbor, with 83 units ranging from one-bedroom to penthouse apartments.

The PNG Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, who is also the Minister responsible for SEZs said the opening ceremony of the Paga Hill Paradise Apartments was the first of many more exciting launchings and openings to come within the Paga Hill SEZ.

“Six years after granting license to Paga Hill as our first SEZ, we now see the completion of the first world-class building that we are very proud of.
In March, we will see the completion of the first casino within the Paga Hill SEZ. This project will create over 600 full-time jobs upon completion.
We also have phase two of the Paga Hill Paradise Project and other hotels and buildings being designed not only within the Paga Hill SEZ but also on the adjourning Sea Park SEZ.
In the next three years, Port Moresby will completely change because of these two SEZs and the recently approved Portside Gardens SEZ at the old wharf,” said Minister Maru.

Meanwhile, all 83 units of Paga Hill Paradise Apartments have been sold out and while the second apartment tower is yet to be built, interested occupants have already purchased more than 30 units out of the 98 units.

06/01/2026

Melanesia Must Grow Up: No One Is Coming to Build Our Nations

Commentry by Front Line Pacific

Melanesian leaders need to stop pretending that sovereignty means speeches, flags, and blaming outsiders. What just unfolded in Venezuela should be read carefully, not emotionally. When governance fails and a country becomes strategically exposed, global powers don’t ask permission. They act.

Melanesia is not immune; For decades, the region has been labelled an “arc of instability” not because of its people, but because of weak institutions, fragmented leadership, and chronic dependence on outsiders. At the same time, Melanesia functions as a security buffer for Australia and New Zealand, whether we like that reality or not. Geography alone makes this unavoidable. Yet instead of confronting this truth, too many leaders have embraced a lazy model: wait for Australia, China, or the United States to build our systems, fund our budgets, train our forces, and rescue us when things fall apart. That mindset is not sovereignty, it is dependency dressed up as nationalism.

Aid has become a substitute for responsibility. Strategic partnerships have become excuses for inaction. And foreign interest is mistaken for friendship, when in reality it is driven by security calculations, not sentiment. The global environment has changed. U.S. nationalism is rising. Australia remains committed to globalist ideals and multicultural rhetoric, but its security instincts are sharpening. China plays long games with infrastructure, debt, and influence. None of these powers exist to develop Melanesia for Melanesians. They exist to protect their own interests.

The uncomfortable truth is this: no external power will build strong Melanesian states. That job belongs to Melanesians themselves. Real independence starts with hard decisions building credible national institutions, professional security forces, productive economies, and social cohesion. It means moving beyond aid dependency, beyond donor-driven development, and beyond leaders who confuse foreign applause with domestic progress.

Venezuela didn’t collapse because of one event. It collapsed because leadership ignored reality until reality imposed itself. Melanesia still has a choice. But that choice requires growing up, standing on its own feet, and accepting that the world respects strength, not slogans. If Melanesian leaders don’t take that responsibility seriously, others will step in and manage the consequences for them.

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