Photo: Teuila Fuatai
Papua New Guinea is celebrating 50 years of independence in true Melanesian style with plenty of dance and music.
But amid the colour and festivities, its people are acutely aware there are significant challenges ahead for the nation of about 11 million people.
Prime Minister James Marape spoke frankly of problems, like corruption and crime, during his Independence Day address at the flag- raising ceremony in the capital Port Moresby on Tuesday.
"It'll be unfair of me, and to the country if I'm not honest enough, to also admit that amidst the progress, we have shortcomings," he told the crowd.
"I admit in our progress [in] the last 50 years, we still have many pockets of poverty, many pockets of isolation, many pockets of Papua New Guinea are unconnected with each other."
Hundreds gathered at dawn to see the red, yellow and black flag of Papua New Guinea hoisted on Independence Hill - 50 years to the day it was first raised following independence from Australia.
With more than 800 languages and tribal groups, the nation is often referred to as the most diverse country in the world. Its vast landscape and ocean area is rich with natural resources like gold, copper and natural gas.
The island of Niugini also has an extensive history of migration and civilisation stretching back 60,000 years. For example, Kuk, near Mt Hagen in the Western Highlands, is the oldest agriculture site in the world.
Despite that wealth of history and natural resource, the country has struggled to lift living standards among its people.
According to the World Bank, more than 40 percent of the population live below the national poverty line of US$2.15 per day.
Crime is a significant problem, with the country's homicide rate amongst the highest in the world. Corruption among political elites is another long-running issue.
Marape said these challenges had to be addressed for the country to move forward in the next 50 years.
"Corruption robs us of resources meant for our people, and our economy is still not at the level to sustain a nation that is now over 10 million people.
"The next 50 is now upon us. It must be about nation building, renewal and transformation."
He also acknowledged the country's resilience in adversity and diversity.
"The last 50 years, natural disasters have faced us, and we've helped each other through our great Wantok system. Human crisis has befallen us and we've found a way to find peace among ourselves."
Among the thousands participating in officials events this week was Port Moresby resident Natalie Sirigoi.
On Monday evening, her daughter was among children in traditional ceremonial dress welcoming leaders and dignitaries at Marape's Independence state banquet. She was representing the family's links to Milne Bay, Sirigoi said.
"For me, 50 years basically is about freedom - freedom of speech, freedom of growing up, knowing that I don't wake up getting to worry about war zones."
She was mindful of the hardship many faced, which she believed had worsened in her lifetime.
"I'd love for Papua New Guinea to go back to how [it was when] my parents were growing up, where they didn't get to face economic crisis or a lot of criminal activities."
Natalie Sirigoi and Fatima Warbua celebrating Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary. Port Moresby, September, 2025. Photo: Teuila Fuatai
Sirigoi believed better education for the country's young people was critical to that.
"It's going to take a lot of work… not only for the government, but for education institutes teaching the younger ones growing up. There's a lot of work in there to educate them… for living in a free country is."
Fatima Warbua's daughter was also part of the official welcome on Monday evening. Warbua echoed Sirigoi's sentiment. She was proud of Papua New Guinea's progress since it gained independence and wanted better for the next generation.
"I'm happy to be alive and to witness the occasion and to take part in the celebration.
"We're hoping they learn from what's actually taking place right now and to improve in the next 50 years."
In reflecting on the country's history, Marape also recognised the autonomous region of Bougainville where independence from Papua New Guinea remained an important issue.
The region, which has just completed its general election, was engaged in a brutal, 10-year civil war for independence that officially ended in 1997.
More than 20,000 people were believed to have died in the conflict. Many disappeared without being accounted for.
Marape apologised for the hurt caused to the region, which continues to seek independence through the Bougainville Peace Agreement process.
"To our sisters and brothers in Bougainville, I cry with you, and if we have hurt you, we say sorry for the health that we may have cost you.
"The Bougainvillean's have rose higher than most of us. In the midst of many of their down moments, they've reached out and embraced peace."
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister addresses a parade of children outside parliament in Port Moresby for the country’s 50th independence day celebrations. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Teuila Fuatai
At official events, the country's military prowess and culture has featured prominently.
The Independence Day flag raising ceremony included a fly-by of two military jets and canon salute.
Papua New Guinea was also due to sign a landmark security agreement with Australia this week. Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said it would benefit both nations long-term.
"It is one that will bring both our countries together in security and in the long-term benefit of national security for both Papua New Guinea and Australia.
It's one that will secure an alliance, basically that protects both PNG and Australia for the long term, and this is very important."
While the deal has not been made public, the ABC have reported details from a draft copy which showed Australia and Papua New Guinea would agree to defend each other in an attack on either territory. It also reported that both countries would be able to recruit from one another for each of their defence forces under the deal.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who spent 24 hours in Port Moresby to mark the occasion, said he had not seen details of the Australia-Papua New Guinea security deal.
When asked whether New Zealand would consider a similar arrangement with Papua New Guinea, he said more information was needed.
"We'll await the details first before we jump in and start saying what we can and cannot do," Peters said.
"When we have all the facts, in the interests of being a very, very trusted Pacific partner, we look at that issue and discuss it back home as to its ramifications for us and what we might be able to do or not do."
Independence celebrations will continue for the rest of the week, with more events planned across the country. One of the highlights is Wednesday night's concert by hip-hop artist Akon in Port Moresby.
One of the girl scouts at the Independence Day flag raising ceremony on Independence Hill, Port Moresby. September 16, 2025. Photo: Teuila Fuatai
