PNG, New Zealand Strenghthen Ties on Education, Jobs and connectivity

Papua New Guinea and New Zealand are looking to deepen cooperation in education, technical training, employment opportunities and transport links as the two Pacific nations seek to prepare more Papua New Guineans for jobs at home and overseas.

The issue featured strongly in talks between Prime Minister James Marape and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Koror, Palau, with both leaders agreeing to broaden cooperation in areas that directly affect the region’s future workforce.

PNG, New Zealand Strenghthen Ties on Education, Jobs and connectivity

Mr Marape thanked New Zealand for its longstanding support to PNG and its engagement with Pacific Island countries.

He said Australia and New Zealand had an important role to play in the Pacific and should continue supporting smaller island states while respecting their sovereignty and interests.

“Our smaller Pacific Island countries may be small in land area and population, but they are strategically important,” Prime Minister Marape said.

He said the Pacific’s large ocean territories, fisheries and collective influence at international forums made regional unity essential.

“If we remain together, the Pacific will stand strong in the face of global fragility, geopolitical competition, wars, economic pressures and trade disruptions.”

Mr Marape said the countries of the Pacific could not escape their geographical ties and needed to maintain a common regional outlook through the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

“We cannot change our geography. Whether we like it or not, we are part of this region forever,” he said.

Education and workforce preparation were among the key areas discussed.

Mr Marape said PNG wanted to improve the standard of its schools, colleges and technical institutions so qualifications earned in the country could be more easily recognised in New Zealand, Australia and other overseas labour markets.

“Our aim is to raise our education standards to levels comparable with Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

“We want Papua New Guineans graduating from our schools, colleges and universities to possess qualifications and skills that allow them to compete successfully in the global labour market.”

The Prime Minister said the Government planned to spend more than K11 billion on education interventions over the next decade.

The programme includes early childhood education, primary and secondary schooling, as well as vocational and technical training.

He said the Government was also working with churches to improve early childhood education while ensuring a common national curriculum remained in place.

With about 59 per cent of the population under 25, Mr Marape said education and skills development would be crucial to ensuring young Papua New Guineans found productive employment.

Prime Minister Luxon outlined New Zealand's efforts to improve literacy, mathematics, school attendance, teacher development and vocational education.

He offered to encourage further engagement between the education ministers of both countries and share New Zealand's experience in foundational learning and vocational training at secondary-school level.

Mr Marape welcomed the proposal and called for PNG, New Zealand and Australia to work more closely on education standards, technical training and future workforce needs.

Labour mobility was another major area of discussion.

Mr Marape thanked New Zealand for employing Papua New Guinean workers and said PNG was prepared to train additional workers in trades and technical occupations where shortages existed.

“I thank New Zealand for the opportunities already being provided to Papua New Guineans,” he said.

“We are ready to train more skilled workers, including tradespeople and technical personnel, according to the needs of the New Zealand economy.”

Mr Luxon said New Zealand was prepared to examine additional labour mobility opportunities while ensuring Pacific countries retained workers needed for essential services.

He also pointed to the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, which provides participating Pacific workers with agricultural experience they can take back to their home countries.

The proposed direct Port Moresby-Auckland air service was also raised as a way of increasing movement between the two countries.

Mr Marape said the route could benefit business, tourism, sport and people-to-people contacts.

“We are building stronger connectivity between our two countries, and the Port Moresby-Auckland service will help open new opportunities,” he said.

The leaders also discussed PNG's planned participation in Australia's National Rugby League competition from 2028.

Mr Marape said rugby league had a special role in bringing together people from PNG's many cultural and linguistic communities.

“Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with more than 800 languages and tribes, but rugby league brings our people together as one nation,” he said.

Regional financing and climate resilience were also discussed, including PNG's contribution to the Pacific Resilience Facility.

Mr Marape suggested that Pacific nations eventually consider establishing a regional infrastructure financing mechanism to help fund major development projects.

He said such an initiative could reduce reliance on external financing.

The Bougainville peace process was also raised, with Mr Marape acknowledging New Zealand's longstanding contribution to peace and reconciliation.

He reaffirmed PNG's commitment to the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the constitutional and parliamentary processes arising from the 2019 referendum.

Mr Luxon said New Zealand remained ready to support PNG and Bougainville as the process continued.

The two leaders agreed to maintain regular contact between their governments and ministers, while Mr Luxon invited Mr Marape to visit New Zealand.

“New Zealand is an important friend and development partner of Papua New Guinea,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“We value Prime Minister Luxon’s leadership and look forward to working closely with him to strengthen our bilateral relationship and advance the collective interests of the Pacific.”