Johnny Blades

Papua New Guinea's proposed gun buyback scheme would be "counter-productive", says a former military commander. Audio

Papua New Guinea's government says it had to reject a major gas deal because energy giant ExxonMobil was unwilling to offer fair terms.

A master carver in Bougainville says living off the land is how the autonomous Papua New Guinea region can be economically independent. Audio

There are signs of an influx of West Papuans into Papua New Guinea amid a protracted conflict across the border.

Papua New Guinea's government has defended its efforts to protect human rights. Audio

As a new decade dawns much of the Pacific is grappling with major upheavals, from climate and health crises to self-determination struggles. Jamie Tahana and Johnny Blades look at the state of play.

Following an overwhelming majority vote in their historic independence referendum, Bougainvilleans are focussing on nation-building.

A 97 percent majority has voted for independence in Bougainville's historic referendum.

Despite a peaceful independence vote in Bougainville, there are fears of potential security problems in the post-referendum period.

People in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville have voted in an historic independence referendum.

Papua New Guinea will seek to ensure a likely majority vote for independence in its autonomous region doesn't trigger a break-up of the state, says PNG's Minister for Bougainville Affairs.

Polling for Bougainville's independence referendum is underway.

As Bougainville nears its self-determination referendum, the mine that sparked its bloody civil war is seen as the key to potential independence from Papua New Guinea.

Communities on Bougainville's atolls hope the upcoming independence referendum is an impetus for improved services to the remote islands.

A controversial land sale in New Zealand has met with disapproval from the West Papua solidarity movement.

More information is now available about the two options on the ballot for this month's Bougainville independence referendum. Audio

Indonesia's government has launched a new overseas aid agency to strengthen ties in the Pacific and other regions.

Papua New Guinea's Electoral Commissioner has been arrested in relation to the country's flawed 2017 elections.

Jihadis are being encouraged to go and fight in West Papua by Indonesian Muslim hardliners.

The West Papuan pro-independence movement is insisting that genuine talks with Indonesia's government must address self-determination.

Deadly unrest has broken out again in West Papua, as Indonesian security forces cracked down on more student mobilisations.

Papua New Guinea's government has approved a one billion kina ($US287 million) facility to generate economic development in Bougainville over 10 years.

Facing international pressure over major unrest in Papua region, Indonesia's government has pointed blame at West Papuan independence groups. Audio

Indonesian civilian militia groups are stoking tensions in West Papuan towns and cities after widespread protests across the region in the past two weeks. Audio

Making a clean break from former prime minister Peter O'Neill was the pivotal factor in Papua New Guinea's government bringing a group of opposition MPs to the coalition.