History of Papua New Guinea in Timeline

Papua New Guinea is an independent state in Oceania, encompassing the eastern half of New Guinea and surrounding islands within Melanesia. Located north of Australia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, it shares a land border with Indonesia to the west and is near Australia to the south and the Solomon Islands to the east. The capital city is Port Moresby, situated on the southern coast. With a total area of 462,840 square kilometers, Papua New Guinea ranks as the world's third-largest island country.

1901: Discovery of Skulls on Goaribari Island

In 1901, missionary Harry Dauncey found 10,000 skulls in the island's long houses of Goaribari Island in the Gulf of Papua.

1902: Papua Transferred to Australia

In 1902, Papua was effectively transferred to the authority of the new British dominion of Australia.

1905: Papua Act

With the passage of the Papua Act in 1905, the area was officially renamed the Territory of Papua.

1906: Formal Australian Administration

In 1906, the Australian administration became formal in the Territory of Papua.

1914: Australian Capture of German New Guinea

Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Australian forces captured German New Guinea and occupied it throughout the war.

1933: Seashells Abolished as Currency

In 1933, seashells were abolished as the official currency of Papua New Guinea, although they remain part of local customs.

1942: Start of New Guinea Campaign

In 1942, the New Guinea campaign began as one of the major military conflicts between Japan and the Allies.

1945: End of New Guinea Campaign

In 1945, after the victory of the Allies, the New Guinea campaign ended, and the two territories were combined into the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.

1949: Separate Administrations until 1949

Until 1949, Papua (former British protectorate Territory of Papua) and New Guinea (former German territory German New Guinea) had entirely separate administrations, both controlled by Australia.

1951: Legislative Council Instituted

By 1951, a 28-member Legislative Council was instituted, although it was largely dominated by Australian administrative members.

1954: The first Bahá'í in PNG arrived in 1954

In 1954, Violete Hoenke arrived at Admiralty Island from Australia, becoming the first Bahá'í in Papua New Guinea.

1964: House of Assembly Established

In 1964, the Council was replaced by the 64-member House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea.

1967: House of Assembly Expansion

In 1967, the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea increased to 84 members.

1969: A National Spiritual Assembly was elected in 1969

The PNG Bahá'í community grew so quickly that in 1969 a National Spiritual Assembly (administrative council) was elected.

1970: Whitlam visit

In 1970, Australian Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam visited Papua New Guinea amid calls for independence.

1971: House of Assembly further expanded

By 1971, the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea had increased to 100 members.

1971: Whitlam visit

In 1971, Australian Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam visited Papua New Guinea amid further calls for independence by the Tolai people in Gazelle Peninsula.

1971: Sorcery Act Imposed

In 1971, Papua New Guinea's Sorcery Act imposed a penalty of up to 2 years in prison for the practice of "black magic".

1972: Whitlam calls for self-governance

In 1972, Gough Whitlam called for self-governance for Papua New Guinea as early as 1972.

1972: Michael Somare elected

In July 1972, Michael Somare was elected as the first Papua New Guinean Chief Minister of the Territory. In December, Whitlam was elected as Prime Minister at the 1972 Australian federal election.

1972: Rainforest damage

Nearly one-quarter of Papua New Guinea's rainforests were damaged or destroyed between 1972 and 2002.

1973: Whitlam Government institutes self-governance

In late 1973, the Whitlam Government instituted self-governance under the rule of Michael Somare.

1974: Border treaty with Australia

In 1974, the border between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia was confirmed by a treaty with Australia before independence.

September 1975: Papua New Guinea Independence Act

In September 1975, the Whitlam Government passed the Papua New Guinea Independence Act 1975, citing the 16th of September 1975 as the date of independence.

September 1975: Establishment of the "underlying law"

On 16 September 1975, the date of independence, Papua New Guinea's "underlying law" was established, consisting of principles and rules of common law and equity in English common law as it stood on this date.

1975: Elections after Independence

After independence in 1975, Papua New Guinea's members of parliament were elected by the first-past-the-post system, with winners frequently gaining less than 15% of the vote.

1975: Around 50,000 expatriates were living in Papua New Guinea in 1975

Around 50,000 expatriates, mostly from Australia and China, were living in Papua New Guinea in 1975, but most of these had moved by the 21st century.

1975: Independence as a Commonwealth realm

In 1975, Papua New Guinea became an independent Commonwealth realm with Elizabeth II as its Queen.

1975: Secessionist Revolt on Bougainville

In 1975, a secessionist revolt on Bougainville Island resulted in a modification of the draft Constitution of Papua New Guinea.

1976: Observer Status in ASEAN

In 1976, Papua New Guinea became an observer state in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

1978: Maritime boundary with Australia

In 1978, the maritime boundary with Australia was confirmed by a treaty.

1981: Special observer status in ASEAN

In 1981, Papua New Guinea was accorded special observer status within ASEAN.

1986: Discovery of the Iagifu/Hedinia Field

The Iagifu/Hedinia Field was discovered in 1986 in the Papuan fold and thrust belt.

1988: Renewed Uprising on Bougainville

In 1988, a renewed uprising on Bougainville started and claimed 20,000 lives until it was resolved in 1997.

1989: Maritime boundaries confirmed

In 1989, maritime boundaries with the Solomon Islands were confirmed by a treaty.

1990: Maternal mortality rate of 476.3 in 1990

In 1990, the maternal mortality rate was 476.3 per 100,000 births.

1991: Cannibalism as a Social Institution

In 1991, Marianna Torgovnick wrote that instances of cannibalism as a social institution came from New Guinea, where head-hunting and ritual cannibalism survived in certain isolated areas.

1992: Member of the Forum of Small States

Since the group's founding in 1992, Papua New Guinea has been a member of the Forum of Small States (FOSS).

1997: Bougainville peace agreement

Following the 1997 agreement which ended Bougainville's secessionist unrest, former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta tried to restore integrity to state institutions, stabilise the kina, restore stability to the national budget, privatise public enterprises where appropriate, and ensure ongoing peace on Bougainville.

1997: Resolution of Bougainville Uprising

In 1997, the uprising on Bougainville was resolved after claiming 20,000 lives since it started in 1988.

July 1998: Earthquake and Tsunami

On 17 July 1998, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck north of Aitape, triggering a 50-foot-high tsunami which killed over 2,180 people.

2000: Australian-made Rifles delivered

Around 2000 M16s were delivered to the PNGDF from the 1970s-1990s.

2001: Electoral reforms introduced

Electoral reforms were introduced in Papua New Guinea in 2001 which introduced the Limited Preferential Vote system (LPV), a version of the alternative vote.

September 2002: Earthquake

In September 2002, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Wewak, Sandaun Province, killing six people.

2002: Rainforest damage

Nearly one-quarter of Papua New Guinea's rainforests were damaged or destroyed between 1972 and 2002.

2002: Amendment regarding party leadership and government formation

Under a 2002 amendment in Papua New Guinea, the leader of the party who wins the largest number of seats in the election is invited by the governor-general to form the government if they can muster the necessary majority in parliament.

2004: Audit in government armouries

An audit in 2004 found only 1/5th of 5000 Australian-made Self Loading Rifles and half of the 2000 M16s delivered to the PNGDF from the 1970s-1990s were found in government armouries.

2004: Royal PNG Constabulary Administrative Review

In 2004, the Royal PNG Constabulary Administrative Review to the Minister for Internal Security addressed the weaknesses of police capacity and poor working conditions in Papua New Guinea, and made recommendations to address them.

2005: Audit in government armouries

An audit in 2005 found only 1/5th of 5000 Australian-made Self Loading Rifles and half of the 2000 M16s delivered to the PNGDF from the 1970s-1990s were found in government armouries.

2005: Joseph Kabui Elected President

In 2005, the autonomous Bougainville elected Joseph Kabui as president.

2006: Southern Leyte mudslide tragedy

The casualty figure on May 24, 2024 surpasses the 2006 Southern Leyte mudslide tragedy where a total of 1,126 people lost their lives.

2007: First general election using LPV

The 2007 general election in Papua New Guinea was the first to be conducted using the Limited Preferential Vote system (LPV).

December 2008: James Tanis wins election

In December 2008, James Tanis won the election and served until the inauguration of John Momis.

2008: Kuk Early Agricultural Site Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2008, the Kuk Early Agricultural Site in Papua New Guinea was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2008: Maternal mortality rate of 311.9 in 2008

In 2008, the maternal mortality rate was 311.9 per 100,000 births.

May 2009: Anti-Chinese rioting broke out in May 2009

In May 2009, anti-Chinese rioting involving tens of thousands of people broke out, sparked by a fight at a nickel factory and fueled by resentment against Chinese ownership of businesses.

2009: Parliament approves creation of two additional provinces

In 2009, the Parliament of Papua New Guinea approved the creation of two additional provinces: Hela Province and Jiwaka Province.

2009: Papua New Guinea's National Vision 2050 was adopted in 2009

Papua New Guinea's National Vision 2050 was adopted in 2009, leading to the establishment of the Research, Science and Technology Council.

2010: John Momis Wins Election

In 2010, John Momis won the elections to become president of Bougainville.

2010: The Lands Act was amended in 2010

In 2010, the Lands Act was amended along with the Land Group Incorporation Act, to improve the management of state land, mechanisms for dispute resolution over land, and to enable customary landowners to be better able to access finance and possible partnerships over portions of their land.

2010: Maternal mortality rate of 250 in 2010

The 2010 maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births for Papua New Guinea was 250.

2011: Commission of Inquiry established in mid-2011

Following a national outcry, a Commission of Inquiry was established in mid-2011 regarding 'Special Agricultural and Business Leases' (SABLs) to acquire vast tracts of customary land.

2011: Police Commissioner asks public to report police corruption

In 2011, Commissioner for Police Anthony Wagambie in Papua New Guinea took the unusual step of asking the public to report police asking for payments for performing their duties.

2011: Constitutional crisis

In 2011, Papua New Guinea experienced a constitutional crisis between the parliament-elect Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, and Sir Michael Somare, with the Supreme Court ruling in Somare's favor. The confrontation lasted until the July 2012 elections.

2011: 2011 census results on religious affiliation

The 2011 census found that 95.6% of citizens identified themselves as Christian, 1.4% were not Christian, and 3.1% gave no answer.

May 2012: Hela and Jiwaka officially become separate provinces

On 17 May 2012, Jiwaka and Hela officially became separate provinces in Papua New Guinea.

July 2012: Peter O'Neill becomes prime minister

After the July 2012 election, Peter O'Neill emerged as Papua New Guinea's prime minister and formed a government with Leo Dion as deputy prime minister.

July 2012: Resolution of constitutional crisis with national elections

The constitutional crisis in Papua New Guinea, which started in 2011, continued until the July 2012 national elections, with legislation passed affecting the Supreme Court and age limits for prime ministers. The crisis was resolved when elections were held.

2012: Decision to erect the first Bahá'í House of Worship in PNG was made in 2012

In 2012 the decision was made to erect the first Bahá'í House of Worship in PNG. Its design is that of a woven basket, a common feature of all groups and cultures in PNG.

2012: Legislation passed to prevent votes of no confidence

In 2012, the first two of three readings were passed in Papua New Guinea to prevent votes of no confidence occurring within the first 30 months of a government's term.

December 2013: TotalEnergies agreed to purchase 61.3% of IOC's Antelope and Elk gas field rights

In December 2013, TotalEnergies agreed to purchase 61.3% of IOC's Antelope and Elk gas field rights with the plan to develop them starting in 2016, including the construction of a liquefaction plant to allow export of LNG.

2013: Study on violence against women on Bougainville Island

A 2013 study in The Lancet found that 27% of men on Bougainville Island reported having raped a non-partner, while 14.1% reported having committed gang rape.

2013: 2013 Budget emphasises the need for a more diverse economy

The 2013 Budget emphasizes the need for a more diverse economy, based upon sustainable industries and avoiding the effects of Dutch disease from major resource extraction projects undermining other industries.

2013: The European Union funded the Renewable Energy in Pacific Island Countries Developing Skills and Capacity programme (EPIC) over 2013 to 2017

The European Union funded the Renewable Energy in Pacific Island Countries Developing Skills and Capacity programme (EPIC) over 2013 to 2017.

2013: Repeal of Sorcery Act

The Sorcery Act of 1971, which imposed penalties for the practice of "black magic", was repealed in Papua New Guinea in 2013.

February 2014: Agreement signed in February 2014 between the European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

In February 2014, an agreement was signed between the European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, resulting in a programme on Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy.

November 2014: Council re-emphasised the need to focus on sustainable development through science and technology in November 2014

In November 2014, the Research, Science and Technology Council re-emphasised the need to focus on sustainable development through science and technology.

2014: Largest number of publications among Pacific Island states in 2014

According to Thomson Reuters' Web of Science, Papua New Guinea had the largest number of publications (110) among Pacific Island states in 2014, followed by Fiji (106).

2014: Government expenditure on health in 2014 accounted for 9.5% of total government spending

Government expenditure health in 2014 accounted for 9.5% of total government spending, with total health expenditure equating to 4.3% of GDP.

2014: 2014 Responsible Sustainable Development Strategy emphasizes the need for a more diverse economy

The 2014 Responsible Sustainable Development Strategy emphasizes the need for a more diverse economy, based upon sustainable industries and avoiding the effects of Dutch disease from major resource extraction projects undermining other industries.

2015: SNAP approved by Government

A Sorcery and Witchcraft Accusation Related National Action Plan (SNAP) was approved by the Government of Papua New Guinea in 2015.

2015: About 0.3% of the Papua New Guinean population is made up of international migrants as of 2015

Data from the World Bank indicates that about 0.3% of the Papua New Guinean population is made up of international migrants as of 2015.

2015: Lukautim Pikini Act passed

In 2015, the Parliament of Papua New Guinea passed the Lukautim Pikini Act.

2015: Secretariat of the Pacific Community observed in 2015

In 2015, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community observed that Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa are leading the way with large-scale hydropower projects, but there is enormous potential to expand the deployment of other renewable energy options.

2015: Urbanisation rate of 2.51% from 2015 to 2020

Papua New Guinea has an urbanisation rate of 2.51%, measured as the projected change in urban population from 2015 to 2020.

2015: Sign language has some statutory recognition since 2015

Since 2015, sign language (Papua New Guinean Sign Language) has some statutory recognition in Papua New Guinea.

2016: Accreditation of a master's programme in renewable energy management in 2016

In 2016, a master's programme in renewable energy management was accredited at the University of Papua New Guinea.

2016: Cambridge Study on Migration

In 2016, a study at the University of Cambridge suggested that peoples reached Sahul (present-day Australia and New Guinea) about 50,000 years ago.

2016: Plan to develop Antelope and Elk gas field rights starting in 2016

In 2016, the plan to develop Antelope and Elk gas field rights was scheduled to start, including the construction of a liquefaction plant to allow export of LNG, following TotalEnergies agreement in December 2013 to purchase 61.3% of IOC's Antelope and Elk gas field rights.

2016: Women accounted for 33.2% of researchers in Papua New Guinea in 2016

In 2016, women accounted for 33.2% of researchers in Papua New Guinea.

2017: Papua New Guinea's top scientific collaborators from 2017

From 2017 to 2019, Papua New Guinea's top scientific collaborators were Australia, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France and India.

2017: Family Protection Regulation Approved

In 2017, the Family Protection Regulation was approved in Papua New Guinea, delaying its application in the Courts.

2017: The European Union funded the Renewable Energy in Pacific Island Countries Developing Skills and Capacity programme (EPIC) over 2013 to 2017

The European Union funded the Renewable Energy in Pacific Island Countries Developing Skills and Capacity programme (EPIC) over 2013 to 2017.

February 2018: Earthquake

On 25 February 2018, an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck the middle of Papua New Guinea.

April 2018: Earthquakes and Landslides in Hela Province

From March to April 2018, a chain of earthquakes hit Hela Province, causing widespread landslides and the deaths of 200 people.

2018: Second lowest urban population percentage in the world in 2018

According to the CIA World Factbook (2018), Papua New Guinea has the second lowest urban population percentage in the world, with 13.2%, only behind Burundi.

2018: Construction began in Port Moresby in 2018

Construction of the Bahá'í House of Worship began in Port Moresby in 2018.

May 2019: O'Neill resigns as Prime Minister

In May 2019, O'Neill resigned as prime minister of Papua New Guinea and was replaced through a vote of Parliament by James Marape.

November 2019: Voting date set for Bougainville independence referendum

The government of Papua New Guinea set 23 November 2019 as the voting date for a non-binding independence referendum in the Bougainville autonomous region.

December 2019: Independence Referendum Results

Between 23 November and 7 December 2019, the Bougainville independence referendum overwhelmingly voted (98.31%) for independence.

December 2019: Bougainville votes overwhelmingly for independence

In December 2019, the autonomous region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea voted overwhelmingly for independence, with 97.7% voting in favor.

2019: GDP growth rate and inflation

As of 2019, Papua New Guinea's real GDP growth rate was 3.8%, with an inflation rate of 4.3%. This economic growth has been primarily attributed to strong commodity prices and a booming mining sector.

2019: Life expectancy in Papua New Guinea in 2019

As of 2019, life expectancy in Papua New Guinea at birth was 63 years for men and 67 for women.

2019: Papua New Guinea took second place among Pacific Island states with 253 publications in 2019

In 2019, Papua New Guinea took second place among Pacific Island states with 253 publications, behind Fiji with 303 publications, in the Scopus (Elsevier) database of scientific publications.

2019: Urban population statistics

In 2019, only 13.25% of Papua New Guinea's population lived in urban centres, making it one of the most rural countries.

September 2020: Minister for Police accuses police department of corruption

In September 2020, Minister for Police Bryan Jared Kramer launched a broadside on Facebook against his own police department, accusing the Royal PNG Constabulary of widespread corruption.

2020: Over 30,000 members of the Bahá'í Faith in PNG as of 2020

As of 2020 there are over 30,000 members of the Bahá'í Faith in PNG.

2020: Estimated 8.95 million inhabitants in Papua New Guinea as of 2020

As of 2020, Papua New Guinea had an estimated 8.95 million inhabitants.

2020: Urbanisation rate of 2.51% from 2015 to 2020

Papua New Guinea has an urbanisation rate of 2.51%, measured as the projected change in urban population from 2015 to 2020.

2020: National Census deferred during 2020 ostensibly on the grounds of the COVID-19 pandemic

The National Census was deferred during 2020 ostensibly on the grounds of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: National Census deferred during 2021 ostensibly on the grounds of the COVID-19 pandemic

The National Census was deferred during 2021 ostensibly on the grounds of the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 2022: Marape secures most seats and continues as Prime Minister

After an election widely criticised for its inadequate preparation, abuses and violence, in July 2022, Prime Minister James Marape's PANGU Party secured the most seats of any party in the election, enabling James Marape to be invited to form a coalition government, and he continued as PNG's Prime Minister.

September 2022: Severe Earthquake

On 11 September 2022, another severe earthquake occurred, killing seven people and causing damaging shaking in some of the country's largest cities.

December 2022: New population estimate of 17 million in December 2022

In December 2022, a report by the UN, based upon a survey conducted with the University of Southampton using satellite imagery and ground-truthing, suggested a new population estimate of 17 million.

December 2022: Population Report

In December 2022, it was reported that Papua New Guinea's population was closer to 17 million.

2022: Charles III becomes King

Following Elizabeth II's death in 2022, Charles III became the King of Papua New Guinea.

February 2024: Village massacre in Enga Province

In February 2024, 69 villagers were killed in a single attack in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea, marking the largest killings since the Bougainville conflict of the 1980s and 90s.

May 24, 2024: Landslide in Enga Province

On May 24, 2024, a landslide hit the village of Kaokalam in Enga Province, burying more than 2000 people alive.

2030: UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030

The text incorporates content from the UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030, published by UNESCO.

2050: Papua New Guinea's National Vision 2050

Papua New Guinea's National Vision 2050 was adopted in 2009. This has led to the establishment of the Research, Science and Technology Council. At its gathering in November 2014, the Council re-emphasised the need to focus on sustainable development through science and technology.

2050: Vision 2050 emphasises the need for a more diverse economy

Vision 2050 emphasizes the need for a more diverse economy, based upon sustainable industries and avoiding the effects of Dutch disease from major resource extraction projects undermining other industries.