Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Hon. James Marape, has honoured a longstanding commitment to Niue by stopping over in the island country to announce the transfer of the outstanding K5 million to the Niue Government.

Prime Minister Marape – accompanied by his wife, Mrs Rachael Marape made the stop-over on Sunday, 25 August 2024 after departing from Port Moresby enroute to Tonga for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga.

In Niue, he was received by the Premier of Niue, Hon. Dalton Tagelagi in a ceremonial welcome showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the island, and later was hosted to a welcome reception held in his honour.

Prime Minister Marape announced at the event his commitment to fulfilling the unmet K5 million promise, made by the PNG Government ten years ago.

This commitment from 2014 which was to be fulfilled, was not made, hence it is my duty to ensure its completion,” said Prime Minister Marape.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the PNG diaspora in Niue, which he said was a big community of people, with 10 percent of the Niue population owing their heritage to PNG through the early missionary connections with the Motuan people of Port Moresby.

“We owe it to early Niuean Christian missionaries who came to Hanuabada and Pari villages which has led us to this special bond of kinship with Niue.

“I appreciate Premier Tagelagi for Niue’s warm welcome to me and my wife, Rachael, as we try to entrench our two people’s relationship,” he said.

Prime Minister and Mrs Marape engaged with local representatives and community members, further solidifying the bonds between Papua New Guinea and Niue.