Stories by Johnny Blades

People in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville have voted in an historic independence referendum.

Papua New Guinea will seek to ensure a likely majority vote for independence in its autonomous region doesn't trigger a break-up of the state, says PNG's Minister for Bougainville Affairs.

Polling for Bougainville's independence referendum is underway.

As Bougainville nears its self-determination referendum, the mine that sparked its bloody civil war is seen as the key to potential independence from Papua New Guinea.

Communities on Bougainville's atolls hope the upcoming independence referendum is an impetus for improved services to the remote islands.

A controversial land sale in New Zealand has met with disapproval from the West Papua solidarity movement.

More information is now available about the two options on the ballot for this month's Bougainville independence referendum. Audio

Indonesia's government has launched a new overseas aid agency to strengthen ties in the Pacific and other regions.

Papua New Guinea's Electoral Commissioner has been arrested in relation to the country's flawed 2017 elections.

Jihadis are being encouraged to go and fight in West Papua by Indonesian Muslim hardliners.

The West Papuan pro-independence movement is insisting that genuine talks with Indonesia's government must address self-determination.

Deadly unrest has broken out again in West Papua, as Indonesian security forces cracked down on more student mobilisations.

Papua New Guinea's government has approved a one billion kina ($US287 million) facility to generate economic development in Bougainville over 10 years.

Facing international pressure over major unrest in Papua region, Indonesia's government has pointed blame at West Papuan independence groups. Audio

Indonesian civilian militia groups are stoking tensions in West Papuan towns and cities after widespread protests across the region in the past two weeks. Audio

Making a clean break from former prime minister Peter O'Neill was the pivotal factor in Papua New Guinea's government bringing a group of opposition MPs to the coalition.

Protests are spreading in Indonesia-ruled West Papua in response to harassment of Papuans during explosive incidents in Javanese cities last week. Audio

Large public demonstrations are underway in cities in West Papua after the reported harassment of Papuans in Indonesia over recent days.

Papua New Guinea's West New Britain province is facing a stern test of its ability to cope with disaster after the latest eruption of Mt Ulawun.

Papua's provincial government is frustrated over a lack of action by Indonesia's central government to open up direct international flights to Papua.

A landowner threat to shut down a major gas project in Papua New Guinea has been averted for the time being.

US military build-up plans on Guam have thrown the indigenous Chamorros people's struggle for control of their own land and culture into sharp focus.

Indonesia will use a landmark business and trade exposition next week in New Zealand to launch a fresh diplomatic push in the Pacific.

Papua New Guinea's Police Minister is pushing for an investigation into the procurement of luxury cars for last year's APEC summit.

The United Liberation Movement of West Papua has officially submitted an application for full membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.