New Zealand High Commissioner Georgina Roberts has reaffirmed her country's commitment to deepening economic and people-to-people ties with Papua New Guinea during her first official visit to Lae, the country's industrial and commercial hub.
Roberts, accompanied by New Zealand Honorary Consul in Lae Zoe Harrison, met with local authorities, business leaders and academic stakeholders last week to explore opportunities for greater cooperation in trade, education, skills development and sustainable economic growth.
The visit comes as New Zealand and Papua New Guinea advance the Economic Plan of Action announced in 2025, which seeks to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and development cooperation between the two countries.
"Lae's role as a key economic gateway continues to present strong opportunities for collaboration," the New Zealand High Commission said in a statement.
Located in Morobe Province, Lae is Papua New Guinea's largest cargo port and a major center for manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and resource-related industries, making it a strategic location for expanding commercial links between the two countries.
During the visit, Roberts also toured the Lae Temporary Market, which provides a secure and accessible trading space for up to 1,000 vendors while the city's main public market undergoes redevelopment.
The High Commission delegation met with vendors and sampled locally grown produce, highlighting the importance of agriculture and small-scale enterprises to household incomes and local economic activity.
The redevelopment of the Lae Main Market is being carried out through a partnership among the Lae City Authority, New Zealand and Australia. Once completed, the upgraded facility is expected to improve market infrastructure, sanitation, safety and accessibility for vendors and consumers.
The new market is scheduled to open in 2027 and is expected to serve as a key commercial hub for farmers, traders and small businesses across Morobe Province and neighboring regions.
New Zealand has been a longstanding development partner of Papua New Guinea, supporting initiatives in education, agriculture, renewable energy, governance and economic development across the Pacific region.
Officials said Roberts' visit underscored New Zealand's commitment to fostering stronger economic partnerships and people-to-people connections while supporting sustainable and inclusive growth in Papua New Guinea.
