The PNG Chiefs have strengthened their coaching ranks ahead of their historic entry into the National Rugby League, confirming former Dally M Coach of the Year Anthony Seibold as an assistant coach for the club's inaugural 2028 Telstra Premiership campaign.Seibold brings a wealth of experience to the expansion franchise, having coached 142 NRL games as head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brisbane Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles. His appointment adds further depth to a coaching staff led by head coach Willie Peters, with former NRL player Luke Burt also serving as an assistant coach.Beyond rugby league, Seibold has built an impressive coaching résumé across multiple sporting codes, including a role with England Rugby Union and his current position with AFL club Collingwood. His broad coaching background is expected to provide valuable insight as the Chiefs continue building the foundations of the club ahead of their NRL debut.The appointment also reunites Seibold with Peters, with the pair having previously worked together at South Sydney and Newcastle.Seibold said the opportunity to help establish Papua New Guinea's first NRL club was one he was eager to embrace."I'm looking forward to working with Willie Peters and supporting the vision that this club has," Seibold said."The Chiefs are building something special with strong values and great people, and I'm excited to play my part in helping them succeed."The chance to make a positive impact on players, staff and the wider community was a big reason I wanted to join the Chiefs. Success on the field is important, but building something that inspires people across Papua New Guinea is just as meaningful."PNG Chiefs General Manager of Football Michael Chammas welcomed Seibold's appointment, describing the experienced coach as a significant addition to the club's football department."We're really excited about Anthony joining our coaching staff and believe that he will add a great deal to the playing group and football department as a whole," Chammas said."His experience in numerous roles across rugby league is a great benefit to us, and his time as a head coach in particular will help him be a trusted advisor to Willie. It will also complement the attributes that Luke brings as an assistant coach, and we believe they will work extremely well together alongside the rest of our football staff."Chammas said Seibold had recently visited Papua New Guinea and was enthusiastic about the opportunity to be part of the country's first NRL team."Having just spent time in PNG recently, Anthony is tremendously excited about the opportunity that lies ahead for the Chiefs and Papua New Guinea as a country, and his appointment is another great addition for our club."We're looking forward to welcoming him and his family to our Chiefs family in November 2027 as we continue to build strong foundations for our first NRL season."The appointment marks another major milestone for the PNG Chiefs as the club continues assembling its football operations in preparation for its long-awaited entry into the NRL in 2028.

President of the Farmers and Settlers Association (FSA), Mr. Wilsom Thompson acknowledges the intention of the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) to host a workshop to talk about its services to agriculture.NISIT will host a one (1) day Consultation Workshop in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province on the 27th of August 2026. The intention is to promote NISIT’s role and contribution to the agriculture sector with the following objectives:Role of Standards and Measurement,Testing and Certification,Accreditation in Agriculture, andTrade Promote the current draft Agriculture Sector Standards. Which are open for Public Commenting. “We thank NISIT for this initiative,” said the FSA President, further stating that these standards are important for the Agriculture sector.Meantime, NISIT’s Consultation Workshop coincides with the PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival 70th anniversary, which will take place at the Goroka show grounds from 28th to the 30th of August2026.NISIT will also set up a stall in the show grounds to promote its services specific to the PNG agriculture sector.“We acknowledge the opportunity for the general public to visit the NISIT stalls during the three-day PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka.The Farmers and Settlers Association commends NISIT’s decision in coinciding with this Festival.

Former NRL star and rugby union convert, Zac Lomax has arrived in the country, touching down in Port Moresby at noon today.Lomax is here to tour the PNG Chiefs facility amid talks of signing up with the new NRL franchise ahead of the 2028 NRL season when the PNG Chiefs enter the competition.Lomax made his NRL debut for the Dragons in 2018, developing into one of the club's leading backs, playing centre, wing and fullback, and played over 100 NRL matches for the Dragons.He debuted for the New South Wales Blues in the 2024 State of Origin series.In the beginning 2025, Lomax signed a four-year deal with the Parramatta Eels after leaving the Dragons.In March 2026, Lomax signed a two-year deal with the Western Force and Rugby Australia with the aim to secure a place with the Wallabies and potentially playing in the 2027 Rugby World Cup.However, Lomax's talks of signing with the new NRL franchise, could see him returning to rugby league with the PNG Chiefs.

Richard Maru, the Member for Yangoru- Saussia district in East Sepik province, has just been made the minister responsible for PNG Power Limited (PPL), and now looks forward to resuscitating the State-owned entity.Maru, who is also the Minister for International Trade and Investment, spoke at the official hand- over- take- over ceremony of the Ministry in Port Moresby yesterday at the PPL Head Office, where he put it out straight to the staff and management that the power company is in a very desperate situation and requires some very tough decisions to bring it back to form.“We are going to make some very firm decisions. I’ll be bringing to the government some very firm proposals about the future. We cannot do business the same way and expect a different result,” said the minister.He hinted that these proposals could include partial privatisation and drastic cuts on loans from big lenders.Maru thanked the State Enterprise Minister William Duma for his great efforts in running PPL thus far while it was under his care. He pledged to carry on from here but doing things differently going forward.PPL has legacy issues that the minister highlighted such as poor revenue generation, aging infrastructures resulting in poor power service to customers and management issues that have sometimes hindered services over the years.The State entity issues also include rural power supply using generators that are not making money in some urban towns and rural areas. Most of the time these areas face power disruptions on a regular basis affecting public institutions, schools and hospitals, residential areas and businesses.This occurs despite customers continuing to pay for power with a tariff that is set over 20toea, which Minister Maru said was a bit too high.All these coupled with the fact that PPL is cash strapped; it is time for a radical change and Minister Maru is just the man for the job, having experience in such matters. Hence, his appointment as the new minister responsible for the entity.“The company is insolvent; we have to fix it," he said."We must not accept the status quo; we must do something we haven’t done in the last thirty (30) years. Tough decisions to be made will be made. That much I can assure you.”Maru is not new to resurrecting insolvent companies. “When I was in NDB (National Development Bank), I was tasked to go into a bank which was insolvent; I go it fixed in six months.”Having that experience, he intends to at least make some difference in less than 10 months before the 2027 National General Election.It is going to be a big task because PNG Power has a debt of K1.2billion and outstanding electricity billings worth around K400million. On top of that, 26% of PPL sales do not make money due to power theft (illegal connections) and technical losses.“This is the true position and strength of this company,” Minister Maru plainly stated.Nevertheless, Minister Maru believes strongly that with the right leadership direction and guidance, PNG Power can do much more in providing a vital service to customers and at the same time, make revenue to sustain its operations.

Prime Minister James Marape has announced that over 10 major resource projects will open within the next two decades in the country.Speaking at the PNG Resource Week 2026 Gala Dinner event on Friday in Port Moresby city, he said these upcoming projects should further list the country’s economy, promising more benefits for the people.“The first 20 years of the next 50 years, we will be opening 19 projects in the mining and petroleum sectors,” said the prime minister.“These projects are in the Eastern most islands in our country like the Woodlark and new Misima coming back to operation.”For this year, he said there is the progress to the Final Investment Decision in the Papua LNG.    A Final Investment Decision (FID) is the point at which parties and stakeholders of a major resource project formally approve the project to proceed into full development and construction.For resource projects such as mining, oil, gas, and energy developments, reaching FID means that the project has passed key stages of assessment, and the investors are satisfied that it is commercially viable.Prime Minister Marape said the country can expect this to happen towards the end of 2026.“All nuts and bolts are in place, the government has agreed. It is a 14.5 billion US dollar project that will be announced when the investment partners have agreed among themselves.”“An exciting 20 years coming on. This country will keep on producing a return for investors, but more importantly, a return for the landowners,” said the prime minister.

A call has been placed to potential investors to consider investing in the energy sector in Papua New Guinea (PNG) given the massive demand for the growth of this important sector.That call was placed today by the Minister for Energy, Peter Isoaimo at the PNG Resource Week 2026 morning session at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby city.Speaking during Session 1: PNG Resources & Energy Sector- Ministerial Updates, he told delegates and participants in a packed room that energy in the form of electricity is vital to many aspects of economic and social development.He said the demand for energy, in the production of electricity, is important to all sectors in keeping them all functioning.“You cannot achieve agricultural transformation without reliable power for local communities, you cannot support mining and petroleum operations without adequate energy infrastructure. You cannot establish social services, heath, education and water that communities deserve, without electricity," said Minister Isoaimo.Energy is the foundation up on which every other development depends on, it is an economic enabler and as such, it’s exploration and development is fully supported by the State and its entities through friendly policies and various acts of parliament passed.“The National Energy Authority (NEA), established in 2021, has been mandated as the coordinating institution for energy policy, regulation, and development. But that coordination does not work in isolation. It works with other agencies, not instead of them.”He said the PNG Government is focused on achieving 70% electricity coverage by 2030 in the mid term plan, and plans to achieve 100% by 2050. It’s a bold plan that requires input not only from the State but from partners as well, and that means potential investors in the energy sector are needed.“To international investors: You are seeing a government speaking with one voice, coordinated across agencies, committed to energy as economic transformation foundation. This is your signal PNG is serious, investment risk is managed, your projects will have consistent support.”“We invite you to engage with the NEA, knowing behind it stands a coordinated government,” said the good minister.

TISA bank is enabling ease for local Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners to purchase their supplies directly from China by doing direct transactions in Chinese currency.TISA Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Michael Koisen who spoke at the PNG Resource Week 2026 during the Finance in Resources & Energy session, said the reason behind the decision to perform direct transactions was to allow SMEs have easy access to directly use the currency to purchase items instead going through a longer process, especially with the current FX situation in Papua New Guinea (PNG).He said most of the SMEs in PNG are buying from China and they have had to go through the United State dollar and converting to Chinese Yuan (CNY), which is costly and takes a bit of time."So, this gives the opportunity for our SMEs and corporates wishing to buy direct from China can do so."“It provides an opportunity also for our exporters to enter the Chinese market, the biggest in the world. So, it gives them that opportunity, and for the Chinese businesses also who want to invest in PNG.”   China is one of the world's largest manufacturing hubs, offering a wide range of products, including: electronics, building materials, machinery and equipment, and clothing and textiles.This gives PNG businesses more options to meet customer demands.

The participants at Day Two of the 2026 PNG Resource Week in Port Moresby city, were given clarification on the difference of land disputes and mineral owners and how this matter is dealt with in the Mining Act.Mr. Philip Samar, the Senior Advisor to K92 Mining Inc., who has a vast experience in the country’ mining sector, explained the matter to the guests during the morning session on the Lessons from Landowner Identification & Benefit Sharing.Speaking at the panel, he began by plainly stating that the State owns all minerals as per the Mining Act.“First and foremost, under the mining act section (5), minerals are the property of the state,” he said.“So, all minerals existing on, in or below the surface of any land in Papua New Guinea including any minerals contained in any water laying in any land in Papua New Guinea, are the property of the State. State owns the minerals; on, in and below.”So, when it comes to Social Mapping and Landowner Identification exercises in the mining sector, any disputes between landholders do not come under the mining act. Mr. Samar said any issues with land disputes will be taken outside the mining act as it does not concern it.“Section (4) says where a dispute arises as to the interest of customary land or the position of boundaries, such disputes shall not affect the process in the mining act.”This can be settled under the Land Disputed Settlement Act, but not under the mining legislation.So as far as the social mapping goes, this is as far as it can get when there is a dispute. It will be registered but the matter is dealt outside the mining act, allowing the process to continue in the mineral exploration of the land.This matter continues to be experienced in many parts of the country and the explanation hopes to drive a better understanding of this issue and what’s involved in addressing it.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) had its newly appointed Commissioners officially sworn in to office this week to take on the leadership roles to ensure the institution delivers on its mandate to the people of Papua New Guinea (PNG).The three appointees were sworn in by the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Sir Bob Dadae, at the Government House in Port Moresby city on Tuesday.Retired Judge Don Sawong was sworn in as the Acting ICAC Commissioner, Retired Judge Ellenas Batari was sworn in as Acting Deputy Commissioner Operations and Special Services, and Mr. Thomas Eluh sworn in as Deputy Commissioner ICAC Prevention and Corporate Services.Mr. Eluh, who is the outgoing ICAC Acting Commissioner, said the appointment of the Commissioners is vital to the functioning of an institution that was created by the State to deal with the matters of corruption, which is rife in PNG.“This is a very important occasion, not just for us three, but for the institution itself,” said Mr. Eluh.“It’s so important that these changes in management, holds everybody together and ensures that ICAC moves on from here.”“So, I would like to congratulate the incoming Acting Commissioner Mr. Sawong. I will certainly pledge my support to him, and I expect every member of ICAC to also do the same,” he said.Mr. Eluh said the ICAC’s responsibility to prevent, investigate, and combat corruption continues every day without interruption.“Leadership changes do not change our mandate or our commitment to the people,” he said.Mr. Sawong also assures the people that the work of the ICAC continues and lays out his priorities as the Acting Commissioner going forward.“As Acting Commissioner, one of my priorities is to ensure that the ICAC is strategically organised and positioned to effectively address corruption across the country. This means focusing on our priority areas - aligning our focus areas with our mandate and ensuring that our organisational structure supports the delivery of our objectives.”“This is work that is already underway and will continue regardless of change. We will continue building on the progress that has been made and further develop the ICAC into a strong, credible and effective integrity institution that delivers on its responsibilities and meets the expectations of the public.He later went on thank the ICAC Appointments Committee for having faith in him and appointing him as Acting Commission for ICAC alongside Batari and Eluh.

Real change starts with individuals and the actions each one takes; it is not just through government policies.That was the message delivered to over two thousand people who participated in the 16th Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption (SASWAC), that gathered at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby city on Sunday morning.They weather that morning was quite chilly at first but gradually warned up, which then saw participants from 190 teams representing various corporate organizations, government departments and agencies, schools, SMEs, civil society groups and families, gathered to warm up, hear the speeches and then walk against corruption.Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) Board Director Mr. Richard Kassman gave the opening speech, where he said national transformation in PNG, particularly in the fight against corruption, depends on the daily choices and actions of ordinary citizens.Focusing on the theme of the walk- "Integrity & Action Now", this year's event emphasized that combating corruption requires more than public frustration – it requires individual and collective action."You have turned up not just to walk, but to make it known that integrity matters deeply to you, to your families, and to our beautiful country," Mr. Kassman said."Integrity begins with the everyday choices made by citizens, public servants, businesses, and leaders. Action means speaking up, demanding accountability, supporting transparency initiatives, and strengthening institutions that serve the public interest."The TIPNG Board Director’s speech carries with it an urging as well for authorities to take action given the fact that PNG is currently gray listed and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), does not look chummy.According to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International, PNG scored 26 out of 100, where 0 is “Highly Corrupt” and 100 means “Very Clean.” This CPI was released by Transparency International back in February 2026.Nevertheless, TIPNG continues the good fight, and it’s such initiatives like the SASWAC that serves as fundraisers to support their work in keeping the powers that be, in check.As an independent, non-governmental anti-corruption organization, TIPNG relies entirely on this type of public and corporate support to maintain its operational reach. Securing localized funding through SASWAC ensures TIPNG’s absolute ability to speak out objectively on governance issues, entirely free from political influence or external donor agendas.

Fighting corruption starts with each individual choosing to do what is right and then coming together in a collaborative approach to tackle it.That’s the message from the Leader of the Walk, the DICT Secretary Mr. Steven Matainaho, to all corporate bodies, schools, government agencies and individuals that took part in the 16th Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption this morning in Port Moresby city.Focusing his keynote address on the next generation of leaders- the students, Secretary Matainaho told the students from the schools that participated, that each of them now at their young age must practice the habit of fighting and resisting corruption by taking on integrity, honesty, and values that lead one to becoming an individual who says no to corruption.“It starts with you as a student. It starts with you doing the right things. No cheating in your assignments, be transparent, report when something bad happens. Integrity starts with those small things,” said the Secretary.He said gaining and developing these traits at a young age would prove useful when entering the workforce later on in life, when it comes to fighting corruption.“So, you see, integrity starts with everyone. The change starts by each one making a change and it’s a collective effort.”“Integrity must be instilled in each individual, in each village, in each community, in each agency, and in each company. That’s where you will see integrity across the whole country. And then everyone starts to make a change with that integrity instilled in them,” he said.The annual Walk Against Corruption is a major fundraiser for Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG). This year’s event saw 190 teams in total, comprising of schools, corporate organisations, government departments and individual families who joined in with the rest.Themed “Integrity & Action Now”, the Walk Against Corruption attracted over 2, 500 participants.  

The Pacific is expecting the El Nino condition to worsen in the coming weeks meaning countries in the region like Papua New Guinea (PNG) can expect extreme drought leading to food security issues and other related issues.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through its National Weather Service announced on Thursday 11th June that the El Nino has developed in the tropical Pacific and issued an El Nino Advisory. El Nino, the warm phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is predicted to intensify to a moderate or strong level this fall. Forecasters predict a 63% chance of sea surface temperatures exceeding 2.0°C in the Nino-monitored region of the Pacific. If this threshold is surpassed, NOAA considers the event a “very strong” El Nino.For PNG, the National Government has taken steps to mitigate the impacts when the condition intensifies and hits hard the communities in provinces under El Nino watch. The Minister for Disaster and Emergency Dr. Billy Joseph announced this in the recent parliament sitting.“The government remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that appropriate preparedness, mitigation, and response measures are implemented to safeguard lives and livelihoods of our people,” said Minister Joseph.The government is assessing communities in the El Nino watch provinces in the country, so to come up with a proper plan to effectively coordinate with partners and stakeholders when the drought condition hits.This is being conducted by the National ENSO Taskforce under the direction of the Chief Secretary to the Government and overseen by the National Security Authority.Meantime, NOAA has declared an El Nino has formed when temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are 0.5°C above average for several consecutive months.Additionally, NOAA monitors the atmosphere above this region of the Pacific, looking for a pattern called the Walker Circulation, a massive east-to-west air flow driven by the temperature and pressure differences between the warm western and cool eastern oceans. When the Walker Circulation breaks down and warmer water shifts east toward South America, El Nino is declared.