FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK: MAY 2026

Paradise takes a journey to the Tufi fjords in this issue, a remarkable landscape of green hills and deep-blue waterways in Oro Province on Papua New Guinea’s northeast coast.

The fjords are worthy of postcards and our writer glides through these quiet and isolated waterways in an outrigger canoe.

The isolation here has preserved language and craft. In a changing world, the traditions of the local people endure. Men continue to build outrigger canoes; women harvest sago and create tapa cloth.

“Water is our road,” one canoe builder tells our writer. The timber for the canoes is selected carefully, hollowed and shaped with patience.

He says he learned the craft of canoe building from his father, who learned from his …

Paradise also visits Kokopo in this issue.

Our Kokopo writer nominates some of the things to see and do in the capital of East New Britain Province, including a visit to the market, the war museum, the Bita Paka war memorial cemetery and volcanic Mount Tavurvur.

There’s a guide to Hong Kong for business travellers, a look into the hidden attractions of Fiji and a rundown of affordable youth hostel accommodation at Air Niugini destinations in Australia, including Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns.

Youth hostels may conjure up an image of cheap dormitory-style accommodation, but on the contrary our writer finds they have rooftop bars, restaurants, private ensuite rooms and – in the case of Sydney – gobsmacking views of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Hotel development continues at a fast pace in PNG, particularly in Port Moresby where several international hotel brands are set to open or have already opened.

Among the names are Raddison Blu, Novotel, the Intercontinental and the Sheraton.

Meanwhile, the Paga Hill Paradise Apartments have opened on the waterfront just outside Port Moresby’s CBD. There are 83 apartments in the luxury development and there are more to come, complemented by an infinity swimming pool, restaurants, rooftop terrace, cafes and the Raddison Blu, which will open here.

Still on hotels, we review the Citi Boutique Hotel and visit the Hilton PNG’s buzzing Summit bar on the property’s 15 floor.

In the business world, an annual survey of PNG’s chief executive officers has revealed there is optimism in the country’s trading conditions this year compared to last year.

The ‘PNG 100 CEO Survey’ has revealed that most CEOs expect 2026 profits to exceed 2025, most forecast an increase in investment, and most expect to employ more people.

One sector of the economy that is tracking well is manufacturing and our special 14-page section ‘Made in PNG’ showcases some of the successful companies in this space.

We also have food, fashion, books and people, including interviews with the new CEO of the PNG Chiefs Lorna McPherson, and colourful radio and television personality Namila Benson who features on our cover.

You can read the current issue of Paradise here.

Robert Upe, Editor