Stories by Johnny Blades

As the numbers of casualties and displaced people in Papua's Highlands pile up, prospects for an end to armed conflict in the Indonesian-ruled region appear dim.

New Zealand's Amalgamated Workers Union is discussing the role it can play for seasonal workers with some Pacific governments.

Papua New Guinea leaders say Australia's offshore processing of refugees on Manus Island has been increasingly problematic for their country.

Papua New Guinea disciplinary forces continue to complain about unpaid security work done when the country hosted APEC last year.

The retirement of a British pilot after 25 years working in Papua New Guinea has brought home how the country's rural lives remain deeply reliant on aviation services. Audio

Efforts to focus international attention on the West Papua independence cause surged in the past week.

Solomon Islands is prioritising diplomacy with Indonesia when it comes to advancing concerns about West Papuan human rights.

A Papua New Guinea lawyer will pursue legal action against anti-fraud detectives and officials who brought dozens of fraud-related charges against him. Audio

The US will join Australia in expanding the Lombrum Naval Base on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

Humanitarian concerns are growing for West Papuans caught in the middle of conflict between Indonesia's military forces and pro-independence fighters in Papua province.

A former Papua New Guinea defence force commander has warned that special security legislation for APEC violates the country's constitution.

Papua New Guinea's government is under mounting pressure to account for a purchase of 40 luxury vehicles for the upcoming APEC summit.

A Canadian mining company appears to have government support in the face of landowner opposition to its presence in Papua New Guinea's Highlands. Audio

Outrage in Fiji over a United States businessman trademarking the word 'bula' shows little sign of abating.

The Governor of Indonesia's Papua province wants West Papuans to be able to connect more with people in neighbouring Papua New Guinea.

There is still a need to reserve parliamentary seats for women in Papua New Guinea, a candidate in last year's general election says.

The governor of Papua New Guinea's capital has defended his promotion of yoga and a campaign to make Port Moresby a healthier city. Audio

The words of Richard Don - a village leader from a remote earthquake-affected village in Papua New Guinea's Highlands region - have an unmistakable desperation.

Communities affected by February's major earthquake in Papua New Guinea's Highlands region are getting little help from government, according to a local Catholic Bishop. Audio

Papua New Guinea's government is anticipating a wonderful opportunity on the near horizon, but the jury is out on whether holding an APEC summit will help the country. Audio

Indonesia's influence in the Pacific Islands is growing, but is shadowed by disquiet over its region of Papua, known widely as West Papua.

Reimposing a state of emergency on Ambae, Vanuatu's government insists the volcanic island's entire population must be evacuated.

Vanuatu's former prime minister Joe Natuman says his political career is not over yet. Audio

Unrest in Papua New Guinea's Southern Highlands province is being widely described as a political problem requiring leadership to prevent escalation.

Papua New Guinea's government has hit back at a report saying the country has not benefitted from its huge ExxonMobil-led liquefied natural gas project.