PANGU PATI: A STORY WORTH TELLING

By CYRIL GARE
I returned after a week in the village attending to a death in the family and had to catch up with the happenings. Among the news was the successful conclusion of PANGU Pati’s 28th National Convention at the Hilton hotel and the onset for the 2027 election as it approaches its 60th birthday next year. Well done, congratulations.
I reflect not only on Pati’s role in giving birth to a nation but also on the life it gave me personally during the nascent stages of my professional journey. PANGU is not merely a political party, it is an institution of human enterprise, a living force that has shaped generations and continues to define the destiny of Papua New Guinea. For two consecutive years at the University of Papua New Guinea, the K80 fortnightly allowance, book allowances, and meals provided by PANGU were more than incentives. They were oxygen to an uncertain future, sustenance to a young soul searching for meaning. Without them, I might not be the man I am today. For this, I thank PANGU Pati. I also acknowledge the “father” and East Sepik Regional MP, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, who picked me from the streets of Wewak and shaped me into a man, a talent among the 10 million this country so desperately needs.
There were four others like me sponsored by PANGU during our time at UPNG. We owe it to the Pati, and I hope many more will follow under its sponsorship. Later, I served the Pati as East Sepik Provincial Branch Secretary and later Provincial President under two parliamentary leaders: Sir Rabbie Namaliu and Andrew Kumbakor. The Hilton occasion could have been a fitting moment to share my life story with PANGU. Yet even from afar, I felt the pulse of the Party’s 28th National Convention. It is now 6:05 pm. The sun sets behind smoke-stained hills along Dikagari Road, Tokarara, as I type on my Android, sipping black coffee from my wife Lisa’s market table, cigarette in hand, catching up on news and reminiscing. PANGU’s successful National Convention has reinvigorated its onset for the 2027 election, only 11 months away.
Say what you will, but PANGU is real. It was the beginning, it reigns today, and it is the future. For me, it is the umbilical cord of my life. I owe my freedom, liberty, and country. PANGU is PNG. PNG is home. Bai mi go we? In June 1982, PANGU won 51 of 109 seats, a record still standing. In 2022, when I contested Angoram Open as an Independent and lost, PANGU won 39 of 118 seats and formed Government with a coalition. For 2027, PANGU has resolved to secure 60 seats. The cutting edge is the Connect PNG flagship road program. Nearly 5,000 kilometers of the planned 20,000 have been sealed, valued at K7 billion of the K20 billion project spanning 20 years. Tears of rural mothers were not in vain when roads finally reached their villages. Mock the Prime Minister for sharing these moments, but God sees the heart, results will prove if prayers were heard. Second, the 55–45 per cent equity shareholding policy is now locked in. New Porgera’s 51–49 split is already paying millions in dividends, and the verdict will be proven in time.
The bottom line is increased funding to subnational governments. Do not score the National Government alone, judge your Governors and MPs too. Billions have been allocated. Four fingers point back, so accountability lies with your MPs. Have they delivered? Chuave has new roads. North Fly has a new terminal. East Sepik has projects worth a billion kina, including the long-awaited K100 million Passam–Angoram highway sealing, a blessing for Grand Chief Sir Michael’s home district. The first-of-its-kind arch bridge at Hawain, valued at K20 million, is under construction, delighting many in both East and West Sepik provinces. The new Boram airport terminal and runway extension will soon allow Airbus 737 services, a gift to the people of Somare.
Regardless of seating in the House, every electorate has received its fair share. It is you, the voter, who will deliver the final verdict. The convention reaffirmed the Government’s long-term economic growth agenda, setting ambitious targets: • K200 billion by 2030 • K300 billion by 2035 • K500 billion by 2045
It also committed to the K11 billion national education infrastructure program, designed to improve learning environments through 2035. More young Papua New Guineans are now studying overseas under the STEM program of the Marape–Rosso Government, a source of pride for parents. Free education continues from primary to secondary, a relief for millions. HECAS, TESAS, and HELP remain lifelines despite critics. Under Prime Minister James Marape, international diplomacy has reached unprecedented levels, placing PNG firmly on the world stage. Sports tourism, including the NRL franchising of the Chiefs, may one day see our sons and daughters playing world-class rugby, earning hundreds of thousands in a diaspora once thought impossible.
Medical tourism is emerging, with breakthroughs in kidney transplant and heart surgeries performed by PNG’s own doctors, achievements made possible through political will and state-backed funding. Unless clouded by self-pity, one can not deny this Government has delivered. As the Prime Minister himself concedes: “More work remains to be done.” Development is a growth process, not a Facebook glitch. Say what you will. Exercise your right. Vote wisely. But remember, PANGU is PNG, and PNG is our home. Bai yumi go we? Your vote counts. Blame no one but yourself as a voter. Do not repeat the mistakes of the past 10 elections. In this 12th national election, I urge you to find the snake’s head and shoot it with the silver bullet. Snake is corruption. Snake is curse out of the Pandora’s box. Do not allow the serpent to crawl into the House and multiply its hatchlings (snakelets), or we will be finished into oblivion.
As PANGU rightly resolved: it is the next generation that matters, not the next election. PANGU’s story is not just about politics. It is about life, liberty, and the future of Papua New Guinea. It is about roads that reach forgotten villages, schools that educate the next generation, hospitals that save lives, and policies that empower families. It is about a Party that has stood the test of time, weathered storms, and emerged stronger. It is about a people who continue to believe in the promise of independence, the strength of unity, and the hope of progress. For me, PANGU is not just history. It is personal. It is the umbilical cord of my life. And as the nation prepares for the 2027 election, I say again: find the snake and shoot it on the head. You have the silver bullet. Use it wisely or we are done. Ends.

TEGA TVET SCHOOL RECIEVES COMPUTERS & COMMISSIONS NEW COMPUTER LAB

(L-R) Registrar, Emmanuel Pok, Western Highlands TVet Inspector, George Indiga, Tega TVet Manager Sammy Ono

Board Secretary, David Yak

Students and staff witnessing the ceremony

By Claudio Labeli

The Tega Assemblies Of God (AOG) TVet Technical school in the Western Highlands Province was the recipient of five new desktop computers donated by the Registry of Political Parties. The donation was a commitment made by the Registrar Mr Emmanuel Pok in 2025, when he was invited as a special guest to witness the inaugural graduation of the school at Pultimb village, in the Hagen Central District.

There to witness this small but significant occasion was the Western Highlands TVet school inspector Mr George Indiga, the school’s Board secretary, Mr David Yak, the Institute’s manager, Mr Sammy Ono, the staff and students. On presenting the donation, Mr Pok emphasised that institutions play a critical role in grooming and shaping young leaders of tomorrow. Apart from engaging with political parties, this small gesture is the Registry’s community obligation in reaching out to its citizens. The Registry over the years have donated to numerous other institutions in the country and this was nothing new. This timely donation also saw Mr Pok cutting the ribbons to officially open the new computer laboratory.

New Women's Representative joins IPPCC Board

By Claudio Labeli
On Tuesday 29th July 2025, the Registry in a small but significant ceremony welcomed the new Women’s representative to its Board of the Integrity of Political Parties Candidate Commission. Present at this event was the Chairman, Reverend Roger Joseph, Registrar Emmanuel Pok, senior managers and staff. Section 4 of the Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) highlights the membership composition of the Board. They are; the Clerk of Parliament, Electoral Commissioner, Chairman/CEO of National Economic Fiscal Commission (NEFC), Representative of the National Council of Women and the representative of the National Council of Churches. The women’s representative on the board was left vacant for a couple of years after the exit of Ms Theresa Jaintong

In the swearing in ceremony of Ms Sabeth Yengis, chairman Joseph emphasize the important role women play in the society and also stressed the need for more women to participant in the political landscape of this country. He admitted that Ms Yengis brings the gender balance onto the current board. The Registrar in his welcoming remarks outlined the important role that Ms Yengis brings to the board as the women’s representative and the responsibilities that is mandated by the OLIPPAC in this institution.

Ms Yengis was the former President of the Council of Women of Enga having served in that position for 15 years before being elevated to the current role as the President of the National Council of Women for Papua New Guinea. On hand to formalize the swearing in ceremony was the Registry’s legal council Ms Lyean Nants.

Registry of Political Parties, a partner stakeholder in the WMC Phase 2

By Patrick Kaiku
On Tuesday the 22nd of July, 2025, the Registry of Political Parties (Registry) was invited to Kina Haus, Downtown, Port Moresby, for an inception meeting formally recommencing the second phase of the Women Make Change (WMC) program. The second phase will be within the 2025-2028 period. The second phase is a follow on from the successes of the inaugural phase (2020-2025). The inception event was organized by the UN Women and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

WMC is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The WMC is an informal mechanism for both non-governmental organizations and government agencies. The UN Women and UNDP play the coordinating role. Through the WMC, stakeholders align their work programs aimed at empowering women to take up leadership roles and play important responsibilities in the decision-making arenas of the country.

Stakeholders in the WMC include; UN Women, UNDP, Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission, Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Department for Community Affairs and Religion, PNG Women in Leadership Program, Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, Improving Political Inclusion and Participation Program, National Council of Women and International Foundation for Electoral Systems. of the empowerment of women into political arena and decision-making positions.

Representing the Registry, Registrar of Political Parties, Mr. Emmanuel Pok reported on some of the key milestones in the Registry’s efforts to mainstream women participation in political party institutions in the country. Some of the initiatives include the amendments to provisions in the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (Integrity Law), requiring political parties to endorse female candidates. These amendments are afoot in the form of the revised Integrity Law, presently with the Office of the Solicitor General, before Cabinet endorsement for reading in Parliament.

As a key stakeholder in the Women Make Change Phase 2, the Registrar made reference to the Registry of Political Party’s Corporate Plan 2023 to 2027, and the work plans of the Registry to engage in the women leadership development programs leading up to the 2027 National General Elections in PNG.

Registry of Political Parties observation team interview at NBC studios in the New Ireland province

Pic:The Team from the Office of Registry of Political Parties at the National Broadcasting Corporation New Ireland studio.

On the Tuesday the 17th of July 2025, Local-level Government Election Observation Team New Ireland from the Registry of Political Parties dropped by at the National Broadcasting Corporation New Ireland for a live interview. The Registry of Political Parties is the only governmental institution presently conducting election observations in this year’s LLG elections.

The Registry have a team on the ground, to observe and document the administration, and conduct of the 2025 LLG elections, with the stated aim of understanding the role of political parties in the communities. The team, led by Director for Policy, Legal and research, Patrick Kaiku says, they are holding discussions with political parties, candidates, and key stakeholders across two districts of Namatanai and Kavieng, to assess the environment in which the elections are being held.

He said: “election observations are very important because yumi bai kisim experience na lessons blong elections ba em bai informim how bai yumi prepare for the next election ah!” He said we’ve been having elections since 1964 and 50 years later, we are still having issues. “So mipla kam long Niu Ailan yah, em blong traim blong understandim whether ol political parties or whether environment i allowim pipol long expressim democratic rights blong ol, igo gut or align wantem tingting blong gavman long conductim free na safe elections,” he said.

The Registry has teams doing LLG elections observation nationally. Provinces covered in this year’s LLG elections include the Central Province, Morobe, Madang, East Sepik, Sandaun, Western Highlands, Enga, Southern Highlands, Jiwaka, Eastern Highlands, Northern (Oro), West New Britain, and New Ireland Provinces.

It is imperative that elections – both national and local-level government elections are observed because the documentation of election processes is the basis to inform policy and legislative reforms for future elections. The findings and recommendations from elections observations will help the Registry of Political Parties to present strong recommendations to decision-makers, with the aim of strengthening future electoral processes, especially at the subnational level.

source:NBC New Ireland/P.Kaiku

Pangu Pati Inc. Training and Induction Workshops

By Solomon Puana
The Registry of Political Parties is the mandated body that protects the elections from outside and hidden influences and also deals with political institutions (Political Parties) in strengthening them because they are the major key payers in our democratic system of government. The Registry was pleased and grateful to be part of the Training and Induction Workshop conducted by the Pangu Pati Inc (PPI) in the four (4) regions of the country from November to December 2023. The first leg of the induction workshop was held in Port Moresby for the Southern Region executives from the 4th to the 5th of November 2023, the second was conducted in Kokopo, East New Britain Province for the New Guinea Islands Region executives from 13th to the 14th November 2023, the third leg of the workshop was conducted in Kundiawa, Chimbu Province from the 29th to 30th November 2023. The training and induction workshop was concluded on 2nd of December, 2023, in Lae, Morobe Province for the Momase region executives.
The PPI training and induction program was an initiative to assist the Pangu Pati Inc. Provincial Executives of its 22 branches in the country. This initiative is a pilot program that will be conducted for a duration of five years until 2027. The training and induction workshop was formulated by Pangu Pati Inc. in partnership with the Registry of political parties to deliver during the four (4) regional workshops in the country.
The focus of the PPI Training and Induction workshop is in consistent with what the Registry is embarking on, and that is to promote and strengthen political parties in our young democracy. The main purpose of the Training and Induction workshop was to build and develop the capacity of Pangu Pati Inc. Provincial Executives to better manage the party in their respective provincial branches, and at the same time to prepare them for the next National General Elections in 2027.
It has been for far too long that political parties only exist during election time and are extremely weak. This needs a total transformation. The Registry is now encouraging and calling all registered political parties to come out of the comfort zones and take similar approaches to build and grow their parties, so that we can have strong and viable democratic party system in our country.

Registry Takes Part in Reform Initiatives

By William Garena
The Registry of Political Parties took part in a nation-wide consultation to review the form and system of government together with key government agencies. The Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) was tasked to take lead in the review process. The review began with its launching at Holiday Inn, Port Moresby on 16th February 2023 by the Prime Minister Honourable James Marape.
The focus of the review is based on four key areas: system of government; current structure of the National Parliament; election of Prime Minister; and the different levels of government. The purpose of the review is critical as it takes stock of how far we’ve come as a nation since independence in 1975. The review will inform us if the current systems are workable or it requires change to suit our development aspirations.
An External Secretariat was formed to support CLRC during the review process and included Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Department of Finance, Department of Treasury, Department of Justice and Attorney General, National Economic and Fiscal Commission and Registry of Political Parties.
The nation-wide consultations was conducted on 5th March – 18th May 2023 to which the Registry of Political Parties played an integral part in gauging the views of the people on the four key areas of inquiry. Apart from the nation-wide consultations, the Registry of Political Parties submitted a technical paper on how the political party system would be affected by the direct election of the Prime Minister.
A final report including the recommendations is expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister and NEC in February 2024 before it goes to Parliament for deliberation and rectification.
Finally, the Registry of Political Parties is grateful to be part of the government’s reform initiatives and thanks the CLRC in particular for providing the leadership in this important government activity. The Registry of Political Parties looks forward to contributing meaningfully to future reform initiatives set by the National Government.