The Yegiora Files

Today marks the final opportunity for students, academics, public servants, and private sector professionals to participate in a national survey that will inform the development of a Postgraduate Program in Foreign Policy Analysis at Divine Word University . The survey officially closes tonight at 9:00 PM , and we encourage everyone who has not yet responded to take a few minutes to contribute their views. We extend our sincere thanks to all participants who have already completed the survey. Your insights are making a meaningful contribution to shaping a program that will reflect Papua New Guinea’s unique geopolitical, economic, and regional context . For those who are yet to take part, this is your chance to have your voice heard and help design a curriculum that prepares future leaders in diplomacy, trade, and international relations. The proposed postgraduate program is a strategic initiative that aligns with PNG Vision 2050 , which emphasizes institutional development, capacity...

PNG’s higher education system stands at a critical juncture. While the country has made commendable efforts to expand university access, concerns about academic quality, governance, and infrastructure continue to undermine the potential of its universities to attract international students or effectively host regional programs such as the New Colombo Plan. Australia and China—two countries deeply invested in the Pacific—have the capacity and interest to assist PNG in addressing these gaps. Doing so would not only strengthen PNG’s development trajectory but also serve broader strategic, diplomatic, and economic interests. PNG, Australian, and Chinese students share a moment outside the University of Papua New Guinea, symbolizing regional academic cooperation and the growing potential of PNG as a hub for international education. The New Colombo Plan, spearheaded by the Australian Government, encourages undergraduate students from Australia to study and undertake internships in the Indo-P...

The presence of Chinese companies in global sporting competitions has grown rapidly in recent years. In the National Rugby League (NRL), Chinese automotive giants are now visible front-and-centre. The New Zealand Warriors are currently sponsored by Great Wall Motors (GWM), while the Sydney Roosters boast BYD – a global leader in electric vehicles – as a major backer. A few years ago, the Canberra Raiders had Huawei, a telecommunications giant, as its headline sponsor until political tensions over national security led to the deal’s early demise. These cases highlight both the appeal and complexity of Chinese sponsorship in the Australian sporting landscape. As PNG inches closer to entering the NRL in 2028, the question arises: if a large Chinese company wants to sponsor the team, would it be allowed by the NRL and the Australian government? While commercial sponsorship is usually a straightforward business decision, the geopolitics surrounding PNG’s entry makes it far from simple. The...

One issue that continues to stir debate in Pacific diplomacy is the tension between bilateral defence partnerships and the collective aspiration for a Pacific-led approach to security. As PNG deepens its defence ties with Australia via a defence treaty , it must carefully consider how this move may be interpreted by its Pacific neighbours who are increasingly vocal about regional autonomy and leadership. A Bird of Paradise dons an Australian military uniform—symbolising PNG's delicate balancing act between national identity and strategic defence partnerships. The Pacific Islands Forum and key declarations such as the Boe Declaration on Regional Security (2018) have made it clear: Pacific Island nations want a regional security framework shaped by their own voices, values, and vulnerabilities—not imposed or driven solely by external powers. The idea of a Pacific-led approach to security emphasises the protection of human rights, climate resilience, border integrity, and sustainable...

The Queensland Rugby League (QRL), through the Intrust Super Cup, has significant untapped potential in PNG—a country where rugby league is not just a pastime but a national identity. While the PNG Hunters serve as the country’s only representative team in the competition, the current structure severely limits fan engagement and commercial growth. A more inclusive and accessible broadcasting model, combined with strategic investment in regional infrastructure, could transform the Intrust Super Cup into a household name across PNG. Wynnum Manly Seagulls building bridges through rugby league — proudly donating their former playing jerseys to a local Port Moresby team during their recent visit to Papua New Guinea. A great gesture that deepens ties between QRL clubs and PNG’s passionate rugby league community. Currently, only PNG Hunters games are broadcast in PNG, and even that comes with restrictions. TV Wan, owned by Digicel Pacific, offers the games exclusively through its entertainmen...

The final seminar for the International and Regional Security unit at Divine Word University focused on the growing threat of transnational organized crime in PNG and the wider Pacific region. This type of crime—spanning human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illicit financial flows—continues to exploit institutional weaknesses across Pacific Island countries. The seminar brought together a range of student presentations that examined the drivers, dynamics, and policy responses to this issue, drawing from a chapter authored by Watson, Sousa-Santos, and Howes in the Development Bulletin published by the Australian National University Screenshot of the video on my YouTube Channel One of the key themes discussed was the vulnerability of Pacific Island countries to transnational organized crime. Geographic isolation, porous maritime borders, and limited enforcement capacity were identified as major structural challenges. These factors, coupled with gaps in legislation and weak interagen...

When Western media and policymakers talk about poverty in places like PNG, they often rely on indicators that measure material wealth, such as income levels, access to consumer goods, and formal employment. While these measures are useful in some contexts, they fail to capture the complexity and strength of traditional social structures like the kinship system, which continue to play a critical role in the daily lives of many Papua New Guineans. ChatGPT-generated image symbolizing kinship and generosity in PNG. The kinship system is more than a family tree; it is a living social network that organizes obligations, responsibilities, and resource-sharing among individuals and groups. It determines who you can call upon for help, who you must support, and how resources such as land, food, and labor are distributed. In many rural communities, and even in urban settings, it remains the primary form of social security, welfare, and resilience. One of the great strengths of the kinship syste...