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PNG's population was less than 3 million at Independence, so it is now more than four times that size. It has been roughly doubling every 20 years. At this rate it will exceed Australia's population some time in the next 50 years. That could be a bit of a tipping point.

You are completely missing the point of the article. Nobody here is arguing about whether George Veikoso is from Fiji — of course he is, his artist name literally says “Fiji.” What we are talking about is the music, the naming of the genre, and how it should be remembered. Fiji’s style of music didn’t originate solely in Fiji — and it shouldn’t be labeled “Polynesian reggae” either — because island reggae is a shared Pacific sound. Its roots are Jamaican, and every island in Oceania has embraced and shaped it in its own way. That is exactly why we celebrate it as Pacific Island reggae. Your comment sounds unnecessarily divisive and outside the point of the discussion. Please slow down before making remarks that lean toward individualistic, separatist thinking — the kind of ideology that aligns with the Trump-style “us vs. them” agenda. That mindset is not healthy for our region. Yes, we all have our unique identities, and that is why we are working to dismantle colonial labels like Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. We can respect differences and celebrate shared culture. Music and policy should bring us together as one Pacific family. Don’t get snobbish or arrogant about separating Fiji from the rest of Pasifika just because of relative economic development. Remember that Fiji’s development is rooted in multiculturalism — the mix of communities, including Indo-Fijians, has driven ambition, competition, and growth. This article is about the legacy of Fiji’s music, its positive power, and its rightful naming. If you want to argue about roots, we can talk about George’s upbringing in Hawai‘i, which likely had an even greater influence on his music. But that’s not the point of this conversation.

Each Sovereign States in Oceania to its own, thanks very much. Too often only few loud voices in the Region wants to dictate the rules of how each Sovereign States in Oceania ought to be clumped together as this article iterates. George Veikoso is from Fiji. Period. Give credit to Fiji. Thank you. Nothing wrong with that. Our Team Viti do broadcasting in Aotearoa NZ 🇳🇿 under Radio Viti e Aotearoa. Guess who strangles them from using Sere vaka-Viti | Fijian Language lyric songs ON AIR via streaming? Some wannabees tagged Pasifika..... claiming to hold rights to Indigenous Fijian Language Music just because they have links to George Veikoso. Do us a favour and stop morphing us as one group of peoples in Oceania. Each Sovereign States in Oceania is different from another. Let's respect each other's space and stop conflating each Sovereign States Identity in Oceania. Each to its own IDENTITY❗️✍️

Hi, I heard the interview you had with Hilda Wayne on ABC Pacific. The Challenges highlighted are tough for a regular PNGean to afford all the neccessary costs especially if he/she is selected from the PEV ballot and who has never been to Australia. Getting a job offer there while in PNG is going to be a challenge. Thanks for the heads up. Regards, CB

I used this article in my MRP as a final year Law student. My MRP is on The Fear of Criminology and Penology and the analysis of fear's influences and impact on society and legislation and the penal restorative approach. The article provided ample insight and thank you for your timely research.

Excellent read, Hilman. From P4SP's perspective, the central point of your blog strongly resonates: there is no single “best” social protection program for the Pacific, only approaches that fit a country’s priorities, risks, and institutional realities. We’re genuinely humbled to hear that P4SP’s work has helped you gain deeper insights, and we share your view that country choices will continue to diverge. In terms of the USP 2030 agenda, the Pacific sits in a distinctive position as a region where universal approaches have long been celebrated even before this global initiative emerged. Pacific governments have steadily expanded lifecycle schemes - often with fewer resources than counterparts in other regions. The Pacific’s record is one of inclusiveness, with elderly and disability benefits clearly emerging as regional hallmarks.  While the region may be unpredictable, its commitment to social protection is looking remarkably certain. P4SP is incredibly proud to support some of the incredible work that governments are doing in this sector across the region. 

Malo e lelei Sione, thanks for a really interesting, grounded comment on the challenges of hosting the Pacific Islands Forum in the 21st century. A great set of reflections and a very timely reminder in the final paragraph of the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring these very complex engagements to a successful conclusion. Malo 'aupito, Richard.

Thanks, Will, for highlighting the disability inclusion efforts within social protection. Disability is indeed being increasingly integrated into social protection dialogues, and it’s great that you mentioned the role of the Pacific Disability Forum. Regarding USP2030, it’s a global initiative led by the ILO and the World Bank, with a strong focus on ensuring universal access to social protection. The inclusion of people with disabilities is a core commitment under this initiative. USP2030’s key messages on social protection will be featured at the World Social Summit 2025, to be held in Doha, Qatar, 4–6 November 2025. It would be excellent to see PIF involvement, to showcase the region’s progress and priorities.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful highlights, Richard. You’re right, the growing trend of voluntary superannuation contributions by Pacific seasonal workers in New Zealand, as detailed in Charlotte Bedford’s blogs, is valuable and definitely worth sharing. This development not only supports long-term financial security for workers and their families but also represents a step towards greater financial health and inclusion, innovation in remittance, and potential transnational social protection solutions.

Fascinating read, Hilman. In the disability space, and in the Pacific Disability Forum in particular, Social Protection is regarded as as one of several Preconditions for Inclusion of people with disability, and as an element of state's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. As a relative newcomer to this area, I hadn't heard of USP2030 before. I'm curious about USP2030's uptake within the PIF, the extent to which disability is included in the social protection conversation, and what the deliberations are to shape the successor to the SDGs?

Thanks for this very interesting and timely review of social protection systems in the Pacific, Hilman. One additional initiative that might be mentioned is the voluntary contributions seasonal workers overseas make to superannuation funds in their respective countries in the region. This is becoming increasingly widespread amongst seasonal workers employed on New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme via a scheme provided by the Seasonal Worker Superannuation Administration Service. For further information see Charlotte Bedford's two blogs in the DevPolicy Blog series published on 24 and 25 March 2021.

At the fiftieth anniversary since the independence of Papua New Guinea there is introspection and reflection on the achievements or otherwise during the first half century. A common theme that has emerged is the lack of basic services and economic opportunity for much of the population. The work by Howes et al; Struggle, Reform, Boom and Bust an Economic History of Papua New Guinea since Independence has set out the causes of the symptoms. But as the need for assistance is arguably greater than ever, have we got the right prescription? Communities are the bedrock of PNG society. The common factor in an ocean of diversity and difference that characterises the country. By contrast, the aspirations of all communities are surprisingly similar: dependable health and education services and economic opportunity for the burgeoning under 25 year demographic. However, for two generations communities have not shared in the process of nation building in any meaningful way. The political process has seemingly forgotten them except at election time when the those chasing votes hand out cash to buy support. The only assistance the average man or woman can expect for the following five years until voting comes around again. In my view if development partners have made an error, it has been to seemingly put all the eggs into strengthening an alien system of governance that has no relevance to those living at community level. A system inherited at independence that does not throw up elected or appointed leadership with a desire to apply the concept of administration for the common good. In practice unless the elected person is a relative, it is unlikely they will be relevant to you. An example of hyper regionalism with all it entails. This situation of inherent distrust of people not related to you or who do not come from your immediate area exists everywhere. So, what is decided by 122 members in the national parliament in Port Moresby or even at provincial level might just as well have taken place in a parallel universe as far as most communities are concerned. Despite the passage of time since 1975 this undercurrent of distrust applies to nearly everyone including elected representatives and public servants at every level and the evidence is there to see. A visit to any district or local level government area will reveal closed schools, un-stocked clinics, broken bridges, an absence of local enterprise and a rising tide of youth dissatisfaction. Without at least a minimal level of trust from the 85 percent of the population who live in rural settings in the commitment of government or integrity of public servants, there is no mechanism to leverage community development. And yet it is this system that has dominated the focus of the development effort for five decades. I would argue that until communities are included as partners in the process and given an equal seat at the table, a tangible stake on their terms in the outcomes that affect them where they live, there can be no change. And adjusting focus to give communities equal billing would require a fundamental shift in how partners conceptualise and apply models of change. I can’t see this happening while funders continue to “improve” service delivery via a top down one way street through a government instrumentality. When I observe that models emanating from Canberra appear to be focussed on ensuring sub national provincial administrations take ownership for setting and implementing polices to meet the needs of their people I see meaningless jargon. “Their people” do not share this view. In a country of 850 languages and untold independent clans living on their country they see another level of bureaucratic impediment to progress few can relate to staffed by people they do not trust who will do nothing for them. That is their reality. Nation building has to be a two way street. I believe that until we collectively envision solutions around economic activity, food security, primary health, education and women’s empowerment through a community lens as seen by the bedrock units of society and importantly support them to drive that process on their terms in an enabling partnership with government, there are unlikely to be any solutions. Unlike 1975 when good will and optimism prevailed and people were prepared to give it a go, in 2025 the mood has changed. In particular the under 25 demographic, now connected by X are fed up with the lack of options and open to promises offered by less desirable parties. The Bougainville question has to be resolved lest Bougainville leadership declare unilateral independence and look for a strong backing partner. Some other provinces are of similar mind and are watching from the wings. Other actors could exploit this. Our own performance has not been without fault. Over the years our institutional memory has been found wanting, policy prescriptions inconsistent and naive and attention to the impact of our own corporate citizens and government regrettable and not just on Bougainville. A situation that I think indicates our political class do not understand a vitally important country 4km north of the Queensland/ Torres Strait Islands border. A November 2020 article by Professor Howes in this forum entitled “PNG on the border. Too close to ignore but what to do?” posed questions about this but five years later the situation remains largely the same. Stability is fragile and time is running out. Hence my prescription as someone who has much affection for this incredible country is to stop travelling in ever decreasing circles and with urgency in partnership with respected traditional and government leaders develop a powerful, visionary economic, health and education enabling package directed at improving equity and opportunity for 12 going on 20 million rural people to grow their economy from the ground up in ways that respects their wishes, preserves their environment, paves the way for more reliable and sustainable services and gives the young demographic renewed hope because the alternatives do not bear thinking about.