Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today (26.03.25) expressed Papua New Guinea’s heartfelt gratitude to New Zealand-based non-government organisations who continue to support PNG’s development needs over the 50-year bilateral relationship the country has with New Zealand.
Prime Minister Marape was addressing the Council for International Development (CID) and the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) in Wellington this morning before his bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Rt. Hon. Winston Peters.
The CID comprises 12 New Zealand-based NGOs some of which include World Vision, Oxfam and Fred Hollows Foundation which are working in PNG delivering specific projects in the country with coordination done through CID. Funding support comes from the New Zealand Government, other international organisations as well as governments around the world.
ADRA, on the other hand, is the humanitarian arm of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. ADRA New Zealand is part of a global development and humanitarian network in 122 countries that leverages local expertise, international coordination and experience.
ADRA New Zealand has projects in West New Britain Province going for over five years; and working in Morobe, Madang, Eastern Highlands, Northen, Jiwaka, Southern Highlands and Western Province. ADRA NZ is also looking at extending into the Special Region of Bougainville.
This morning at the meeting with the Prime Minister, representatives provided a brief on the work each of their organisations have been doing in PNG.
PM Marape was pleased to hear of these organisations reports and see their strong sense of community spirit, emphasizing how PNG, with all its challenges derived from its vast diversity, needed as much help as it can get.
He said, “What you do is God’s gift to humanity, friendship and kindness. Thank you for the service you render to PNG and people of the Pacific. It is unobligated help you give. You give from your a good place in your heart, and we sincerely appreciate all that you do. Each of you is a valued partner in the work we are doing in PNG and where our government can help, we are on standby to assist.
“PNG became independence in 1975. In the words of Sir Wallace, your 30th Prime Minister rings right through till today. Sir Wallace assured Sir Michael, my country’s first Prime Minister then that New Zealand – both government, business and people – will stand every step of the way through, and 50 years on, people, organisations, and government have stood with us all the way right through. And I want to say thank you very much.”