Image from: etsarchitects.com.au The Department of Lands and Physical Planning has gone digital in its bid to secure Papua New Guinea’s land tenure records. Minister for Lands and Physical Planning Justin Tkatchenko said the new Scanning and Archiving Center at the Department of Lands and Physical Planning is a step forward to secure all the department’s records.“The new center is the outcome of National Government funding support and testament of its commitment to better work place mechanisms to ensure efficient, effective and transparent public service delivery,” he said in a recent post on social media.“The task at hand against corrupt and greedy individuals and syndicates is far from over, however, our efforts to change perception and instill faith in our processes must continue. Our work in very close consultation with Acting Secretary Oswald Tolopa, senior department management and key officers in the last six months has ensured that we have done and achieved more than the department has ever delivered in years.”The new digital storage facility was purposely built for storage of all titles and records including land titles, title files, surveys and all other forms of documentation.The new technology will ensure the problems of file theft and duplication became a thing of the past, Mr Tkatchenko added.   “The process of scanning and data entry will be undertaken by a team of trained and qualified young men and women under the supervision of senior and specialist managers over the next two years.”Prime Minister Peter O’Neill officially commissioned the new digital storage facility and was accompanied by the National Planning Minister Richard Maru.“I thank Minister Maru and the Planning Secretary once again for initially seeing the importance of this technology and center to ensure funding commitment, Prime Minister and National Government for the direction and guidance,” added Mr Tkatchenko.The Department of Lands and Physical Planning has been dogged by controversy in recent years with missing land title files connected to high profile projects in the NCD and other urban centers, making news headlines and drawing criticism from the public.Ensuring the security of official documentation is not the only issue on the agenda for Mr Tkatchenko with the Lands Minister keen to make progress on freeing up customary land for future development in the country.He met with the CEOs and staff of PNG-based commercial banks in January this year to discuss how customary land leases can be accepted as security for bank mortgages (besides State land titles). The banks were urged to work together to look for a way forward, as currently only 20 percent of land in PNG is developed with 80 percent still in customary possession and not available for development.Customary land registration is a sensitive issue in PNG and continues to be a challenge for successive governments. Attempts by the World Bank to get the PNG Government to incorporate land registration into its Structural Adjustment Program, as part of its loan condition backfired in 1991 when there were student-led mass demonstrations and four ensuing fatalities.

Tucked away in the corner of Hohola in the National Capital District is a warehouse that is host to a hive of activity. You will not miss the yellow and green painted walls of the National Development Bank (NDB) Business Incubation Centre on Kunai Street, which opened its doors in July last year to Port Moresby’s small and medium-size enterprise.At its peak the center was home to 40 SME that offered everything from catering services, trekking tours, graphic design, hair saloon, tailoring and gifts to herbal therapy and alternative medicine. It opened three months after the O’Neill Government launched its SME Policy 2016, which provides the framework to support and grow PNG’s SME sector, and over the long-term period create employment opportunities for citizens and enable them to participate in business activity.While the center and its tenants have had their challenges since the opening last year, its one-stop-shop location on Kunai Street and along Waigani Drive has not been lost on them.“We mainly sell electronic stuff besides stationery and we like the location of the center, it is a good location,” says MacDonald Magari, whose family-run kiosk sells electronic accessories and locally-made gifts.Lisa Magung’s first foray into business began in floricultural, which she ran out of her Waigani home in the national capital and later expanded to include a gift shop at the NDB center.When asked how business is doing she said: “I am starting small by opening up a gift shop and I come here every day. With Valentine’s Day coming up people could be looking for gifts to buy for their loved ones so we have jewelry here, hand watches and purse for girlfriends or wallets for boyfriends!”But it is not all about jewelry, fashion and gifts buying at the center, which the NDB hopes will be the catalyst for ordinary Papua New Guineans to get into business. Local company Buna Treks & Tours, in kiosk 3, sells authentic tapa cloth from the Oro Province and offers tours of the Kokoda Track and PNG’s highest peak, Mount Wilhelm.Regina Baiwo, who attends to customer queries at the shop, said members of the public or tourists keen on trekking two of PNG’s iconic spots can make queries there. Buna Treks & Tours has a commercial track operators license for Kokoda and is registered with the PNG Investment Promotion Authority.Nialyn Karpo, the center’s supervisor, says they currently have 38 kiosk owners who open 8 am to 5 pm Sunday to Sunday. The SME owners pay monthly rentals which are determined by the size of their shops. The fees range from K913 (excluding GST) to K3200 for the large-size kiosks.

Image from: pngnri.orgThe National Research Institute (NRI) has recommended that more houses should be built with trunk infrastructure before the start of a major development project.The government and donor-funded think tank also said there should be more effort by the State to unlock customary land for development, if house prices in the National Capital District and other major centers are to be stabilized.The recommendations are part of a research paper titled “Potential impacts of development projects on house sales and rent prices must be considered before implementation in Papua New Guinea”, which the institute commissioned recently. The paper was written by Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo, who heads the institute’s property sector development and research program.Looking at the PNG Liquefied Natural Gas Project (PNG LNG) and its impact on house sales and rent prices in Port Moresby, the NRI study concluded that house sales and rent prices dropped at the end of the PNG LNG Project’s construction phase, but the cost of the properties were still beyond the reach of most city residents. However, these issues, according to the NRI study, could be addressed if more houses are built before the start of a major development project.“To stabilize house prices, it is necessary to construct more houses, preferably five years before the commencement of the development project. The construction of houses should be accompanied with the establishment of trunk infrastructure and services,” stated the NRI study.The exhausting of State-owned land for commercial development and increasing accessibility to customary land was also highlighted, with the NRI paper suggesting that a previous recommendation for Section 10 of the PNG Land Act 1996 to be invoked be revisited by those in authority.“This involves landowners leasing their land to the state through urban development lease (UDL), which will be processed by the Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP) and without advertising the UDL, the landowners are issued customary land titles. This is a ‘win-win’ situation for the landowner, investor and the state in the development of customary land.”The Papua LNG in the Gulf of Papua is the next major project for PNG. It is led by French energy giant Total with its 40.13% stake and is reportedly set to enter the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) and Final Investment Decision (FID) stages this year.

The increasing demand for more housing has led to the growth of kit home companies in Papua New Guinea.Affordability and timeframes are high on the checklist of a lot of aspiring property owners, and kit homes enable them to tick those boxes. About a dozen companies sell kit homes in PNG with one delivering its product out of Lae and the rest based in Port Moresby, which has the country’s largest property market. The new developments include the Red Sea Housing and Duran Farm projects, adjacent the Baruni and Gerehu-Nine Mile arterial roads in the National Capital District.Land AccessibilityThe opening up of uninhabited land on the fringes of Port Moresby augurs well for the future of the NCD property market. The Gerehu-Nine Mile road has been selected as part of plans by the National Government to free land for affordable housing. Housing Minister John Kaupa, in January this year, reportedly said the National Government had long-term plans to make available land next to the 8-kilometer four-lane road for property development.AffordabilityThe products offered by kit home companies are distinct in design and the materials supplied. For example, local steel makers Atlas Steel PNG and Steel Industries both offer steel frame building kits, but differ in the type of materials supplied, floor plan and price. Bulolo-based PNG Forest Products, which sells timber kit homes under its Niu Homes brand, can ship to any part of the country or abroad.Another company Rhodes PNG Limited, which originally started in design, compliance and project management in 2011, now include kit homes in their diverse range of building products. It can give a quote for construction (to be undertaken by its own workers), after it is shown the building site.David Mackenzie, Rhodes PNG Business Development Manager, said their 1-4-bedroom high-set and low-set houses are affordable and give Papua New Guinean families options in terms of budget and quality.“There is a big problem with housing here in PNG in terms of cost. There is a lot of poor quality housing in the market, with people paying top dollar and getting poor quality products down the track.”“Rhodes PNG uses innovative technologies to ensure affordability without compromising quality.  Our houses are built to Australian standards and come with a 50-year design life.”The building is flexible, so that a high-set house can be modified later to utilise the space underneath as a carport or additional living area. Utilities liaisonOthers such as Stratostream Ltd sell the kit homes, move the materials to the location within the NCD and Central Province, and assemble them in 3 months – the initial cost covering labor, materials, electrical/plumbing/flooring works, joinery, painting, furnishing and power and water utilities.“There are so many inclusions in our kit homes package like NCDC Physical Planning Building Board approval – we will process that. Even services like Eda Ranu and PNG Power, we will also process that,” said Kenneth Lebut, the Stratostream Marketing Manager.Big marketThe sluggish economic conditions in PNG has not had a direct impact on kit home companies. Both Stratostream and Rhodes PNG have indicated that they received public inquiries on their products in the first two months of 2018, despite a slow start by other businesses in the private sector.Kit homes lie at the core of affordable housing and is enabling property owners realize their dreams. Talking to Hausples last month about the real estate market predictions, The Professionals Managing Director Agi Doko said there is still a big market for properties between the K320,000–350,000 price range.“I just don’t think we have sufficient products for a lot of Papua New Guineans within that price bracket and it could be a case of whether there’s sufficient land available,” she said.

Attend the 2018 PNG Real Estate Show on June 1 and 2 at the Sir John Guise Stadium. Discover all properties for sale and rent, learn about loans and insurance options; meet white and brown goods companies and much more. Register for free today to visit the show and bring along any firends and relative. Would you like to exhibit your project or become a sponsor? Don't wait, spots are limited.

Preparations for the popular Papua New Guinea Real Estate Show 2018 in June this year are on track and different category of booths are now available for aspiring exhibitors. The inaugural event, hosted November 3-4 last year by Hausples, the country’s leading real estate portal, was an outstanding success attracting over 3000 local and international visitors to the Sir John Guise Indoor Sports Complex. Over 30 businesses representing the finance and real estate sectors showcased their services to property renters, buyers and potential investors and the public.Thanks to the success of the 2017 show and its growing popularity, a number of booths at this year’s event have been sold. Depending on the booth’s location within the arena and the extras that come with the package, you can be in the box-seat to benefit from the marketing of your services and create that much needed brand awareness.Hausples General Manager Tom Snelling says this year’s June 1-2 event will be bigger and better as there will be more space to cater for an increased diversity of exhibitors.“We did a survey which attracted over 1000 respondents and the majority said they enjoyed the event as it had value. Additionally, they wanted to see more exhibitors in this year’s show,” he said.“The ultimate goal of the Papua New Guinea Real Estate Show is to unite the real estate industry’s stakeholders and to enable the general public to learn more about the industry and the latest trends and developments within it.”The 2017 show attracted a number of high profile exhibitors including Century 21 Siule Real Estate, The Professionals and Strickland Real Estate as well as financial institutions such as Bank South Pacific, and superannuation organizations Nambawan Super Limited and National Superannuation Fund.Guest lectures by industry representatives and experts were a draw-card last year with the Real Estate Industry Association president Mike Quinn among those who took the podium. This year speakers will give insights on developments within the local property market and its link to the prosperity of PNG, said Mr Snelling. “The guest lectures are open over the two days of the show and give show participants the opportunity to hear from people who are considered authorities in their respective fields,” he added.Exhibitors are encouraged to reserve their booths early and can contact [email protected].

The 2018 PNG Real Estate Survey has now commenced and public is invited to share their views about PNG’s real estate industry by visiting: www.hausples.com.pg/survey.  The inaugural survey was launched last year (2017) by Hausples.com.pg and revealed important information regarding real estate industry trends, areas of demand and future market predictions.Hausples General Manager Tom Snelling said the feedback from last year’s survey was encouraging and bodes well for the real estate and financial services sectors, as well as the PNG economy more broadly.“Though prices were perceived as high in 2017, the majority of respondents felt that it was a good time to make a property purchase. Conversely, 13.07 per cent of people believed it was a better time to selling a home.” he said.“We are very curious to understand what people perceive now compared to when they completed survey in 2017.” stated the Hausples GM Tom Snelling. The 2017 survey also revealed that many working-class Papua New Guineans are, or intend to, invest in their own properties.Mr Snelling said: “Despite the long time prevalence of customary land ownership (stretching back to the pre-colonial era), working class Papua New Guineans are beginning to understand the value that homeownership brings to their families and they are increasingly investing in their own properties.”Property prices, security and close proximity to public transport and services continued to play a big part in influencing the decisions of prospective buyers.But these factors did not dissuade a majority of the respondents, who declared plans to spend approximately half a million PNG Kina on a property.  The 2018 PNG Real Estate Survey is fully digital and only takes 5-7 minutes to complete. All participants who provide an email address will be sent copies of the 2018 Report.To make things even more exciting, participants will also have the chance to win a Samsung Phone or an equivalent worth K1000!Complete the survey now by visiting https://www.hausples.com.pg/survey/

Port Moresby OverviewPort Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea and often called by its abbreviation POM or POM City, is presumed to be the largest city in the South Pacific, with an estimated 2020 population of just over 400,000, and distributed over a surface area of 240 kilometers, which roughly represents 1,500 residents per square kilometer. The City of Port Moresby is found on the island of New Guinea, a landmass shared with Indonesia, and lies south-east of the coast of the Papuan Peninsula, to which it significantly outlines the shores of the Gulf of Papua. Early HistoryPort Moresby sits on traditional land largely owned by the Motu-Koitabu people, who were mostly hunters, gatherers and seafarers, that normally traded with other indigenous communities - through the barter system - in the Gulf of Papua (Gulf Province today). Following Captain John Moresby’s proclamation of the land as British Empire-owned in 1873, the Queensland State of Australia annexed Papua 10 years later and declared it British-owned. In 1945, the United Nations merged the two territories into a trusteeship of Australia. The Territory of Papua and New Guinea had its first general election for its House of Assembly in 1964, preceding subsequent polls in 1968 and 72. In December 1973, the territory was granted self-governance and gained independence from Australia, in September of 1975.After independence After independence, Port Moresby became the seat of government and an important hub for the private sector in the post-independence period.The expansion of the PNG economy – thanks to a thriving extractive industry – triggered  a much needed growth for Port Moresby.  Successive national governments and municipal authorities rolled out modern facilities, complimenting increased investment in property development by the private sector. Today, Port Moresby’s skyline has evolved from low-set buildings to multistory apartment blocks and penthouses.While the PNG capital benefited over the years from the country’s economic maturity, the United Nations estimated that 37% of PNG’s population still live below the national poverty line, making the country one of the poorest in the world.  The city’s population has increased dramatically in the last four decades as more Papua New Guineans left their rural communities and migrated to Port Moresby and other urban centers in search of employment opportunities and a new way of life.  EconomyPort Moresby’s economy mainly revolves around the service industry, as output from businesses with a presence in the manufacturing and primary sectors. However, these sectors do not have a major impact on the city’s economic cycle. The growth in the service industry has been largely driven by a decade of positive growth in the PNG economy, burgeoned by the construction phase of the $US19 billion ExxonMobil-led PNG LNG Project; the largest resource extraction project in the Asia-Pacific region. Construction at the project site in both the Hela and Central provinces began in 2010, with the first gas export to Japan occurring in May 2014.  By the end of 2013, the PNG LNG Project had employed over 14,700 people including 5,600 Papua New Guineans. According to ExxonMobil the project delivered over 2.13 million hours of training which focused on developing the technical and professional skills of the workers that were recruited. Training facilities run by the company in Port Moresby and the Highlands had trained over 1600 workers since 2011. The city’s hosting of the 2015 Pacific Games and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2016 also led to a massive investment by the PNG National Government in sporting facilities and logistics to the tune of K1.2 billion. The public works programs for both international events resulted in more employment for thousands of locals.Port Moresby’s 2018 APEC and its calendar of monthly meetings culminating with the Leaders’ Summit in November of that year, were expected to create further opportunities in the service industry for local businesses, as approximately 7000-10,000 participants traveled to PNG. The construction of the iconic APEC Haus, the venue for the leader’s conference, was underway that time and was scheduled for completion in July of that year.  Property developmentPort Moresby has a burgeoning property market that has evolved from low-set housing in the early years to multistory buildings, apartments and event penthouses in various parts of the city. The construction of multistory buildings and apartments for high-end customers were previously restricted to only Touaguba Hill, Paga Hill, Town area, Boroko and East Boroko. However, property investors began moving out of their comfort zones and in search of other suburbs to invest in. Today multistory buildings and apartments can be found in Gordons, Gordons 5, Waigani and Seven Mile in a major show of confidence in these suburbs.  Hot sellersProperty and land sold in and around individual suburbs of Port Moresby especially Touaguba Hill, Paga Hill, the downtown area, Boroko and East Boroko attracted a hefty fee. The price for a plot of land or a property (including apartments in a building) located in one of the above suburbs can sell for more than K1 million on the open market. Security and increased accessibility to amenities, and facilities including supermarkets and schools tend to be the driving force that ultimately leverage increased costs.  InfrastructureThe previous government under Peter O’Neil had invested millions of Kina into public works around Port Moresby. New road upgrades, causeways, roundabouts and the Kumul Flyover which directly links Waigani and Jackson’s Airport over Erima Suburb are the fruits of this investment. To date, this investment alone amounted to K3.2 billion, not only in Port Moresby, but in other provinces as well. This was part of the then Medium Term Development Plan and the National Transport Strategy 2011-2030.Water supplyThe National Government-owned utility company Eda Ranu is responsible for water and sewerage services to Port Moresby residents. The water quality is guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) Drinking Water Quality Guidelines.  ShoppingPort Moresby’s retail sector continues to evolve to this day, and is home to some of the most impressive shopping experiences you can get. Names like Waterfront, RH Hypermarket, Boroko Food World at Gordons, Stop ‘N’ Shop, Harbor City, all make for a great place to start.  Vision City Mega Mall, Port Moresby’s only integrated shopping complex, and by far the largest shopping mall throughout the South Pacific, is another shopping destination worth your day and time. Dotted with fun shops, a movie theatre, a night club, food bazaars, and low-key bars, there’s no shortage of attractions to go around. So when you’re in Port Moresby for shopping, it’s not entirely about what you will buy, but where?Educational institutionsAs with Port Moresby’s retail sector and every other sector that thrives on progress, the city’s education system is no different, thanks to both the public and private education providers.That in mind, Port Moresby is home to such notable universities as University of Papua New Guinea (or UPNG) which celebrated its 53 years in 2018, and Pacific Adventist University (PAU), which is a 40 minute drive outside of the city.Pacific Adventist University (PAU) is a 40-minute drive outside Port Moresby and Divine Word University has an NCD campus, which mainly caters for working class students. Other institutions include the Institute of Business Studies (IBS), Port Moresby Business College, Port Moresby Technical College, Institute of Education, International Training Institute (ITI) and the International Education Agency (IEA) or TAFE College at Ela Beach. For secondary education, you have Port Moresby National High School (POMNATS), Saint Joseph's International Catholic College, Port Moresby Grammar School, Port Moresby International School (POMIS), Jubilee Catholic Secondary School, Caritas, Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI), Gordon Secondary School, Kilakila Secondary School, Marianville Secondary School and the De La Salle Secondary School. LifestyleWith different ethnicities, and over 800 languages, the beauty of PNG lies in the fact that everyone tends to live in oneness with each other, majority of the time. It’s surprising that though Western culture appears to be dominant in especially a city like Port Moresby, cultures and traditions of old still remain strong among the population, and is proportional to the geographical locations.With advancement in pace and culture, you would think that by now Papua New Guinea will have succumbed to the dominance of Western culture. Unfortunately, that is half the truth, as traditional lifestyles clearly exalts the topography of each ethnicity in the country. Mannerisms, habits, mindsets, and foods remain purely Papua New Guinean, although there are exceptions such as dress codes and living standards, where both have assumed an upscale trend in major centers.  Safety And SecurityAs with any country in the world, there are good parts and bad parts. Of course, crime in Papua New Guinea is no laughing matter. However, there are certain things to do and advice to adhere to, with respect to travelers to PNG to have a safe and enjoyable travel experience.Sexual violence tends to be a major issue in PNG. While statistics lean more towards Gender Based Violence, one would be foolish enough not to acknowledge that living in PNG poses a different experience for everyone concerned.As a rule of thumb, Papua New Guinea, for the most part, is safe to visit, because of some of its major tourist attractions that are rich with history and have also received world recognition. While you're in the country and decide to experience the cities, townships, suburbs and villages to ensure a footprint, 9 times out of 10 your travel will be safe.Problems only come when you’re not in tune with your surroundings, and you wander off the main streets, or end up in an alley or settlement without a local area guide. Since it's easy to get caught up with Port Moresby’s energy and vibrancy, never forget to keep your wits about you.The gap between the haves and have-nots continue to widen, so be cautious when using your new iPhone, opening your cash-filled wallet, or changing the lenses of your new DSLR camera in public. Healthcare Port Moresby’s population has access to a variety of professional healthcare providers. The publicly-funded Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) is PNG’s national referral hospital, and offers first-hand practical experience for trainee-doctors, mainly selected from the UPNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Port Moresby’s major hospital has an Accidents & Emergency Department that opens 24 hours a day, and charges its patients a subsidized fee unlike private sector providers, who often enforce a pay-first policy.Other healthcare providers include the Pacific International Hospital (PIH), Paradise Private Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, 2K Medical Clinic, Port Moresby Medical Service, Korobosea Clinic, and Aspen Medical at Konedobu.  Transport The Jackson International Airport at Seven Mile is the main international gateway into and out of PNG. The airport is 10-15 minutes drive from the Port Moresby CBD, through the Poreporena freeway and Kumul flyover, and is less than 10 minutes from Boroko and Waigani. The national carrier Air Niugini offers daily services to the Australian cities of Cairns and Brisbane and weekly services to Singapore, Tokyo, Manila and Nadi (Fiji).

OverviewLae is the capital of Morobe Province, and the second largest city in Papua New Guinea. It is situated on the northern coast of the Huon Gulf Peninsula, within close proximity to the Markham Delta. The city is considered as the industrial axis of Papua New Guinea, because it has more industrial capacity than both Port Moresby and Mount Hagen combined. The city of Lae retains an impressive internal road network, serving the logistics needs of both Madang Province and the Highlands Highway, which significantly stretches up to 700km.The official population of Lae City, based on data compiled by the PNG National Statistical Office, continues past 148,934 to date, which is inclusive of its 11 suburbs: Bumayong, Bugandi, Chinatown, Dowsett, Eriku, Malahang, Taraka, Tent City, Voco Point, 3 Mile and 6 Mile. The traditional custodians of the greater Lae area are the Butibam and Kamkumung villages, who happen to be the first inhabitants of the land that is currently Lae city. However, the battle for land ownership between the two villages has been ongoing since the colonial days. Lae was built on the back of the Wau-Bulolo gold rush, with prospectors and miners using Lae airstrip as the transport hub to fly equipment to the fields, during the 1920s. The town grew as miners flew in from around the world with the Morobe Goldfield, at one point,  hosting 700 expatriates and over 6000 local miners. Overtime, Lae city developed into both a major cargo port and manufacturing base in PNG, with almost 20 foreign and locally-owned companies operating alongside each other.In the years that followed, more established routes were developed and penetrated throughout much of Lae, allowing stories and histories to be told and retold as the city matured. It was not until 2014 when a mammoth plan for development was forecasted by the Asian Development Bank for the Lae wharf, named as the ‘Lae Port Development Project’, which amounted to a hefty sum of $390 million.Upon project completion, the wharf had an additional 250 meters spread on top of an  existing base of 600 meters, purported to ease shipping congestion.Being the industrial axis of Papua New Guinea, Lae became an important point of entry to the Highlands region, resulting in a revitalised economy that stemmed from major sectors such as distribution, manufacturing, fisheries, mining and agriculture gaining strength. HistoryLae was established as a township in 1900 when German traders set up a branch of what was then known as the New Guinea Company in Lae.German missionaries arrived in numbers between 1915 and 1919 at the Territory of New Guinea, which was administered by the Germans and was later handed over to Australia, following the defeat of Germany in World War I. Missionaries from the Lutheran Church later settled in Lae and have had a profound effect on the lives of Lae residents and the province’s population since. The town eventually came under the Australian colonial administration following World War I.However, not much of a development was seen other than a police station and an administration center, until the Wau-Bulolo gold rush in 1926.In 1941, the Australian government chose Lae as the new capital of the Territory of New Guinea following the 1937 volcanic eruption in Rabaul. But the status-change wasn’t effective immediately, as the region came under fire from World War II, largely due to the invading Japanese Imperial Forces, who went on to occupy the township together with Salamaua; both areas were then turned into major Japanese bases on the island of New Guinea. Following defeats at Kokoda Track, Guna and Wau, the Japanese retreated to Lae and Salamaua, where they made a last stand that saw weeks of fierce fighting, before succumbing to defeat in September 1943. The Australian colonial administration founded Lae’s local government in 1971, followed by the proclamation of Lae as a city in 1972. Between 1978 and ‘79 – backing the establishment of the Morobe provincial government – the Lae City Interim Authority was created under the Development Authority Act 1981. The city authority became the Lae Urban Local-Level Government Council in 1997, as a patronage to the National Government’s provincial and local-level government reforms. EconomyLae’s economy relies heavily on the distribution, manufacturing, fisheries, mining and agriculture sectors, thanks to its strategic location as the gateway to the Highlands region, as well as its establishment on the northern coast of PNG, which links up with other provinces in the Mamose and New Guinea Islands regions. The completion of the ADB-funded project was ensured through an investment by the then National Government, that was worth K250 million. The project was aimed at rehabilitating Lae’s major roads between 2013 and 2016, alongside the construction of a four-lane highway, to link both Lae and Nadzab and succinctly resuscitate the city’s private sector. The redevelopment of the Nadzab airport in 2018, came in at a whopping K600 million, a project funded by the Japanese government at that time. The scope of the project was to allow for an increase in air traffic to Lae and Morobe Province following its commissioning. Some of the large businesses currently based in Lae include: Paradise Foods Limited, Halla Cement, HBS PNG Limited, iPi Group, Trukai Rice, SP Brewery, Bismark Maritime, South Pacific Steel, Papindo Group of Companies, Prima Small Goods, Lae Biscuit Company, Citylink Motel, MMK Transport, Barlow Industries Ltd, Mapai Transport, PNG Metal Fabricators and Homestate Cooperation. Having already benefited from the construction phase of the $19 billion ExxonMobil-led PNG LNG project, as the city had produced and transported thousands of tons of goods to service the project site in the Highlands, putting Lae in the box seat to capitalize on the extractive industry. The Wafi-Golpu gold and copper project, situated approximately 65km south-west of Lae, was the brainchild of Newcrest Mining Limited, who  came off a K12.7 billion investment. InfrastructureTransportHealthcareUtilities TransporLae’s Nadzab Airport is a 30-40 minute drive from the city, and is the key link by air between Morobe province and other major centers throughout PNG. The national carrier, Air Niugini, offers daily air services to Lae and other townships from Port Moresby. PNG Air, a third level airline company, also frequents this route out of Port Moresby.On land, the National Government is responsible for maintaining a 137km stretch of road, comprising Independence Drive, Markham Road, and the Milford Haven Road. The other remaining portions are the sole responsibility of Lae City Council.The National Government, that time, invested K250 million between 2013 and 2016 to restore the city’s road infrastructure, which saw most of them resealed. In addition, a four-lane highway was constructed to ease the traffic congestion that occurs between Lae and the Nadzab Airport. Work began that year (2018) to redevelop and upgrade the Nadzab airport, which was planned to receive international flights, presumably overseen by the Japanese government, back then.Healthcare The Angau Memorial Hospital is a publicly-funded health institution that also provides a 24-hour emergency service as well as houses the National Cancer Center. Other healthcare providers include the Lae International Hospital, Eriku Medical Center and Dr Garap’s Clinic.Water supplyGovernment-owned utility company, Water PNG Ltd, manages Lae City’s water supply and sanitation services to the residents. Water quality is guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) Drinking Water Quality Guidelines. Water PNG is also responsible for the city’s sewage and the main water catchments throughout the region. ShoppingCurrently, Lae is experiencing a surge in department and hardware stores, banks, travel agencies and a plethora of small shops and business owners. The major players in this regard include the likes of Papindo Lae Toptown Shopping Centre, Papindo Supermarket, Lae Plaza, and Brian Bell Plaza. Educational institutionsThe Papua New Guinea University of Technology (UNITECH) leads education service providers in Lae and offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs to both local and international students. Other tertiary education institutions include the Lae Technical College, one of the largest in the country that offers polytechnic certificate and diploma courses, and others such as The International School of Lae, Busu Secondary School and Coronation College.  LifestyleLifestyle in Lae City is slightly different compared to Port Moresby, basically in terms of dressing, behaviour and local expressions. Everything else has striking similarities. What you experience in Port Moresby you can expect the same in Lae. The only exceptions are the terrain, area development and geography.Generally, the city of Lae is at the epicenter of several villages, thus the overall lifestyle borders on three-quarter traditional and one quarter Western culture.Safety And SecurityLike Port Moresby, and everywhere else within PNG, taking precautions when out and about is your number one ally at this juncture. As we’ve mentioned whilst in Port Moresby, the gap between the haves and have-nots continue to widen, so be cautious when using your new iPhone, opening your cash-filled wallet, or changing the lenses of your new DSLR camera in public. In public transport, make sure you shut the windows, or if you prefer to enjoy the breeze, keep your phone, camera or wallet in your bag always. The chances of your valuables being snatched through the window are ridiculously high. This also goes for open car windows and even if you're cycling. It all goes back to the idea of always being aware of your surroundings.If someone approaches you and demands your belongings, hand them over. No matter how tough you are, they could be carrying anything and your possessions are not worth your life.If you've planned ahead and have electronic copies of your passport and essential phone numbers (insurance claims number, friends or family contacts, bank number to cancel cards) then you're already landing on your feet.EmergencyLet’s hope that nothing bad ever happens to you while in Lae. But f you need to phone the emergency services, keep this in mind:Lae’s police division is considered the most proactive and community-focused disciplinary force PNG has to offer. Lae’s police force is currently in a partnership with the local mobile phone operator, Digicel, to maintain the initiative behind its local emergency toll free number: +675 7090 3300. Police emergencies can still be contacted through a landline on: +675 473 5401.

From the laid back surrounding of Jacksons Airport to one of three bustling city suburbs of Port Moresby, equal in standing with its own unique scene, attraction, and history, get to know Port Moresby and its diverse ethnicity with Boroko as your starting point.You may find it overwhelming with all the choices; so many price tags, wantoks and of course the road conditions, whether it’s accommodation to rent or buy. We all want our abodes to be effectively affordable, accessible, versatile, secure and have aesthetic appeal, followed by carefully considering the suburb and indeed the neighborhood in a city like Port Moresby, before you even begin your search.According to the 2020 PNG Real Estate Survey, both Boroko and Waigani turned out to be the most of attractive neighbourhoods to live in. With a past as memorable as the red, white and black colors of the Papua New Guinea's flag, Boroko was once the epicenter of Port Moresby’s city life between the ‘80s and ‘90s. The suburb, though it has lost most of its appeal to Waigani’s Vision City Mega Mall, it has come a long way to maintaining its dignity as a livable suburb to date.Let’s consider some reasons why Boroko remains a highly sought after suburb to live in:1.The happening in BorokoUsing a map, you can easily figure out why this particular suburb is one of the highly sought-after suburbs in Port Moresby, provided you know what you’re looking for. Major sporting facilities such as the National Football Stadium, the Rita Flynn Netball Courts and Bisini Soccer Grounds are found here, just minutes apart from each other. These facilities also play host to many international sporting events.2. AffordableAffordability is relative to your income. What you find affordable may be extremely expensive to someone else, and this is one of the best things about Boroko! There is a price tag that is just right for everyone! You can find apartments as low as K800 a week to serviced townhouses at K4,000 a week, and more.3. AccessibleWhen we talk about accessibility, we mean access to conveniences, access to other suburbs and also the actual driving conditions of the streets. Boroko can be described as the center of Pom City.From Boroko you have easy access to other suburbs, one of Pom City’s main public bus stops is here, so getting to and from work or school is easier. Boroko offers a police station, a fire station, a post office, two banks, a craft market, many grocery stores; service stations; pharmacies and other health services; beauty parlours; schools and an assortment of churches.Overall the condition of the roads and the general security reputation of the suburb make it one of the best choices in the nation’s capital. 4.VersatilityBoroko is the most versatile suburb you can expect to live in. it can be a short stroll from your residence, training grounds or shopping intentions. From bedsitters to daycares to educational institutions of all intents and purposes, can be found in this suburb.Various denominations are also present in this neighbourhood, as well as there are clubs and betting shops to choose from. Even with both residential and commercial properties, and not to mention industrial and sporting facilities, Boroko has quite an offering compared to competing, eclectic suburbs in the nation’s capital.5.Secure Security is one factor that many Papua New Guineans consider seriously when deciding where to live, and this is one reason why many people prefer to live in Boroko. Despite the area’s notoriety for prostitution and petty crimes, it is generally a quiet neighbourhood to live in. The police station located in this suburb also helps with maintaining the law and order, not only in this part of the city but right throughout Port Moresby..6. Aesthetic appealBoroko is built on what used to be swampland in the 1930s, meaning that the actual land is sustainably rich and makes for pretty good gardens, if you have the time. The suburb is surrounded by rolling hills, and numerous streets that are outlined by white frangipani and orange ixora plants that remind you - in case you forget - that you are in the heart of the tropics.7.The freshest, organic food at affordable pricesIn terms of fresh organic foods, Boroko has one of Port Moresby’s three major fresh food produce markets. Boroko market is located opposite the National Football Stadium with a huge variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry and at times, depending on the weather, seafood. Boroko market is another wading pool of the local SMEs, and one of many areas within the city where you can actually support and promote local produce. 8.The best 'Kalsa' spotThere was a time when between every June and September, Port Moresby had weekly pre-independence and provincial day celebrations.No other province sees as colourful or as dedicated a show of cultural pride as than NCD, where the cooking pot had at least one of the 800 cultural ingredients. During this period, people living in other suburbs have to either send word to back home for someone to bring an item or two for ‘bilas’, or go searching the markets for these ornaments. Boroko residents, however, had one of two things to make the most of: unwind at home or take a casual stroll down to the craft market that happened every Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 4pm.

The real estate market in PNG is largely determined by the laws of supply and demand and thus makes it increasingly difficult to forecast. Hausples recently had the opportunity to speak to some of the best in the business on what to expect in 2018. Q. HOW DO YOU SEE THE MARKET PERFORMING GENERALLY IN 2018?“Generally, I'd say it’s going to continue to weaken. There is still considerable downward pressure on rents across the market. Some areas are performing better than others, the lower end remains fairly strong and has not seen the large fall in rent that has occurred in the higher end of the market. There is still considerable downward pressure on rents for mid-range properties.”Ken Richardson Managing Director, Strickland Real Estate  “We're starting into a consolidation stage after our downturn; where that actually ends is anybody's guess, but some sectors are doing quite well and there's demand for certain types of property and others are still declining. So, it’s a mixed bag but generally I think we're entering into a consolidation stage.”Greg Peck General Manager, BCMS “I think this year it's going to be a more challenging year and it will be a buyer's market. We're seeing property prices decline and the rental markets have definitely slowed down. I think it's going to be a challenging year for property owners and for those trying to offload.”Agi DokoManaging Director, Professionals  “I see the real estate growing slowly and moving in the right direction in 2018. Both for house sales and rental.”David MackenzieBusiness Development Manager, Rhodes Projects HOW DO YOU SEE THE EXPAT MARKET? WILL PRICES GO UP OR DOWN?“Broadly down. Surprisingly, most of our high-end properties, those over the K4,500 mark are nearly full, so there's obviously still demand at the higher end but prices are down from what they were a few years ago. I think you can say the general expat rental market is seeing rentals fall.Employers are seeking to save costs and reducing rental allowances is an obvious area, this then leads to further downward pressure on prices.”If landlords have a property that doesn't have a differentiation in terms of good sea views, facilities or size, older apartments in need of work are the ones that are really going to be struggling to maintain a reasonable rental return, whereas newer ones are probably going to be a little more in demand.”  “Definitely down - there's no two ways about it. As you know there's a comeback in some cases by more than 2%. It depends on what happens on the resource side where the expat market is generally reflective of any major forthcoming developments. Again, the consolidation stage that we are in has taken the initial downturn. It is on a slower trajectory now than it has been, so I don’t see a lot more expats coming into town but after APEC, who knows? There's going to be a lot more interest in the country so we're hopeful that that might stimulate demand for more of the expat type houses.” “The rents have definitely come down, especially in the high-end market and I think they may continue to decline because there's not enough tenants out there.” “Towards the end of this year, as numbers of expats come into the country in preparation for some major construction projects and the APEC summit, it is likely that the rental market will increase. This happened in the last property boom in POM and since then there has not been a great deal of additional housing constructed for the market.” HOW DO YOU SEE THE AFFORDABLE MARKET PERFORMING? WILL PRICES RISE AND DO YOU SEE DEMAND INCREASING?“From an affordable housing point of view, once some of the issues around land availability are resolved, I would think that at the lower end of the market there's room for prices to come down. But I think that's dependent on developers using new building techniques and building more PNG appropriate housing. Some of these new estates, where they are building row upon row of stilted houses, in the long term, they're not going to appeal to Papua New Guineans. New estates need to be a little bit more 'village focused' and feature more open spaces and communal areas.  I think that there needs to be different thinking about what affordable housing actually is, and not just creating these huge estates.” “It's pretty exciting that its now centre stage and there's a lot more thought being given to that and, as you know, building a high-rise tower is probably the best option at the moment to accommodate affordability. The traditional style housing is one that is favoured by most Papua New Guineans so it's going to take a while to convince people that perhaps they should be looking at vertical housing rather than horizontal. They are more affordable. Say if you’ve got a foot-print of a thousand square meters and generally that’s one or two houses there, but on 1000 square meters you can put a 15-storey tower that could accommodate 80 or more families. I think it’s just a slow, educational process because the market is still maturing to get out in the field and say, ‘Traditional houses are going to cost you anywhere between K500,000 to K1 mil whereas you can get an apartment for an odd K400,000.”   “There's a big demand for affordable housing but I think there's still a lack of supply. There's a big market for anything between K320,000 to K350,000. I just don't think we have sufficient products for a lot of Papua New Guineans within that price bracket and it could be a case of whether there's sufficient land available.  “We know the demand is there, doing the Hausples Show last year proved that. We, at Rhodes, have an affordable quality product and we hear that all the time. The issues people face here are obtaining land to build and banks approving loans. However, both the banks and the Government have realised this and have started to act.”  WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE WILL HAPPEN WHEN WE HEAD INTO 2019?“It’s really difficult to make a generalization across the real estate market. There will still be reasonable demand by people purchasing a home to live in and as a general rule, established residential areas like Boroko and Korobosea have seen prices remain reasonably firm. Broadly across the rental market, I anticipate 2019 being a tough year. To a certain extent, in 2018, the market is being propped up by expenditure on preparing for APEC and the subsequent flow into the economy.Once the committed expenditure for delivering APEC has gone, the government is likely to tighten up and that's going to leave a big hole in terms of the monetary injection into the Port Moresby economy. I think that will flow on very, very quickly through the market and lead to a further downturn in demand and put downward pressure on rentals. I’m reasonably confident we will get through 2018 and have a fairly good year, however I'm not seeing anything that's giving me any confidence in the short term. Over the medium term I can see it starting to bounce back. I think 2019 is going be a tough year.”  “It's very interesting, I think we'll get a spike around APEC obviously for activity around housing and accommodation and projecting forward to 2019, again I think we're very dependent on the resource sector and major developments coming to town to bring an influx of people in. The demand may pick up in 2019, as I said originally, I think the consolidation phase has started, there will still be some downward trajectory on pricing and that's a good thing for the general public because the housing is extremely expensive so I see that as being a positive note for people that are looking for housing. On the same token its very short sighted to go for something that's cheap because quality is a big concern here.”  “We're hoping in 2019 things will pick up again come the Papua LNG. This year is definitely a challenging year but we're hoping in 2019 things will turn around and pick up again.” “Standards of houses should improve. People are becoming better educated about housing and materials used in building them. They are asking questions all the time. Builders and suppliers will have to raise their game if they want to stay in the industry.” ANY OTHER COMMENTS? “We've still got sellers expecting that they're going to get prices they may have gotten three or four years ago. They are basing the value of property on the rents that they might have been getting at the height of the market. There are quite a few active purchasers in the market at the moment, however the vendor's pricing expectations far exceed what buyers are prepared to pay.”  “There seems to be no entry level or barrier for anybody to act as an agent. When you're dealing with somebody's biggest asset in their lifetime, I think there should be checks and balances on who can actually practise in that sector. There are a lot of sales agents out there who are really uneducated in terms on the protocols that need to be in place, so it's a big issue. At some stage I think it will be addressed and I hope to be part of that.”   “For the people who are cashed out, you might be able to pick up properties where people are forced to sell.There's a big need for more affordable housing and it's something the Government really needs to address.” “An increase in the rental market will have a knock-on effect. Companies have to look elsewhere to accommodate staff. For example, we have just completed a project at Koki for Nambawan Super for their staff housing, and we can see more of these types of projects happening. Keeping staff happy with quality housing keeps them happy at the company that provides it.”

Search 2,000 properties for sale and rent FREE with PNG’s leading real estate app! Each property listings contains photos, details about the property or building such as amenities and features, as well as information about the surrounding neighbourhood. We also have detailed location profiles for major areas of Port Moresby and guides to living in PNG as an expat. Search Properties on the go: Residential, Commercial, New Developments, Compounds, Apartment BuildingsSearch multiple locations at the same timeSearch properties near landmarksRefine by price, beds, baths land areas etc Features include:SMS, Email, Call multiple agents in one clickMap view with useful amenities: transport, schools, restaurants etc.Save your favourite properties and searches Create alerts based on your criteriaDownload on iOS or Download on Android

If you are considering PNG properties for sale, www.hausples.com.pg lists more homes, land and commercial real estate for sale than any other website! About the PNG property marketPNG’s real estate market is unique in that that vast majority of PNG land is customarily owned (estimated to be upwards of 85%) and 80% of the countries 7 million citizens live in rural and remote areas. For this reason, the png properties for sale are generally limited to the major commercial centres of Port Moresby, Lae, Mount Hagen, Madang and Goroka.To compound PNG’s limited supply of freehold land, the real estate market has been through a boom over the past 10 years due in large part to a range of high profile infrastructure projects such as the Exxon Mobile PNG LNG project. Whilst price rises have been excellent for investors, PNG’s housing affordability has been at an all time low and this has made it very difficult for the average Papua New Guinean to afford a house, or even a cheaper style home such as an apartment or bedsit.Thankfully, the construction of a number of projects are coming to an end in 2014 and this has caused the property market, especially the rental market, to retract significantly from the high’s of 2012 and 2013. In addition, the PNG Government have introduced a range of new initiatives aimed at making it easier for people to purchase PNG properties for sale. One such scheme is the BSP / PNG Government’s First Home Ownership Loan Scheme which provides loans to homebuyers at a preferential interest rate of 4%.Please visit our dedicated page for more detailed information about Port Moresby real estate and market predictions for 2015. How Hausples.com.pg will helphe Hausples real estate portal is PNG’s No 1 real estate website, with more than 1,000 PNG properties listed for sale and rent, and this number is growing daily. Our website is free for any PNG real estate agent or property developer to list a property, and it is absolutely free for the public to use.We aim to make it easy to search for land, homes and commercial properties for sale through a simple web-design that is mobile phone and tablet friendly. You can also save your favourite png properties for sale and create email alerts to advise you when new homes for sale are listed on Hausples.com.pg.Finally, we are helping to make PNG’s property market more transparent by providing sold prices for PNG properties and providing an easily searchable database of available properties for sale and rent.

OverviewKorobosea is a suburb of Port Moresby and is located between East Boroko, Kirakira village and the Two Mile Hill area.It is predominantly a residential area and within the vicinity of public and private health service providers such as the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) and the Pacific International Hospital (PIH).Most properties in Korobosea were previously government-owned medium to high cost covenant housing, which were later sold to the tenants (public servants) or ended up in private ownership through various government give-away schemes.The nearest large supermarket is the Supa Value Stoa (SVS) next to the PNG Defence Force headquarters at Murray Barracks. There are smaller shops located at China Town in East Boroko.A privately-run public transport system connects Korobosea with East Boroko, the Boroko commercial area and the Port Moresby CBD through Two Mile Hill. HistoryThe suburb is named after Korobosea, a large village whose inhabitants the Motu-Koitabu are considered the traditional landowners of Port Moresby. Korobosea, located on a hill overlooking Joyce Bay and Walter Bay, was the first village for the indigenous population in the area.Over the years some villagers left Korobosea and moved to the foot of the hill to establish what is now called Kirakira. Mahuru village, which can be found between Korobosea and Kirakira villages, is an offshoot of Kirakira village.  The descendants of the original settlers of Korobosea can still be found living at the site of the old village and have a population of about 1000 people. ResidentialAn increasing number of owners of what was previously government-owned medium to high-cost covenant housing have reinvested in their properties and are now putting them up for rent.The close proximity of Korobosea to Port Moresby’s two large health service providers and the Boroko commercial area make it an attractive location for working-class Papua New Guineans who want to rent. SchoolsKorobosea is home to the International Education Agency (IEA)-run Korobosea International School. Other schools in close proximity to the suburb include the Port Moresby Grammar School, Port Moresby International School (POMIS), Kilakila Secondary School (close to Kirakira village) and the Ted Diro Primary School at Murray Barracks. HealthcareOn top of the services offered by the PIH and PMGH, there are other healthcare providers in the area. These are Paradise Private Hospital, 2K Medical Centre, Korobosea Clinic, and the University of PNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences dental clinic.The UPNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences is next to the PMGH and trains PNG’s doctors. EmergencyThe Port Moresby police metropolitan command is stationed at the Boroko commercial area and is a 10-minute drive from Korobosea. Adjacent to the Boroko police station is a PNG Fire Service station, which can respond to emergencies within the community.

Gordons OverviewThe Gordons suburb of Port Moresby spans across various kilometers bordering other suburbs such as 5 mile and Waigani. The Gordons area is divided into Gordons and Gordons 5, each comprising of their own within the vicinity of major amenities. Gordons ResidentialPropertyThe residential area of Gordons is largely located along Henao Drive, which boasts a variety of accommodation from stand alone homes to blocks of units, to lodges and hotels. The majority being stand alone homes built to the traditional PNG style homes which has attracted many Papua New Guinean families to live there.The security factor involved along Gordons is not very high as many of the residents are families whom are notCommercial properties are also present in Gordons with buildings such as the recently built CHM Corporate Office and the Datec Compound housing some of the biggest companies in Port Moresby. Other office spaces are also available for the smaller business in buildings such as Copy-Tek Ples. SchoolsThe Ela Murray International School (TEMIS) and the Gordons International School are run by the International Education Agency (IEA) international standards of education for children up the 8th Grade. In addition to those, there is the Sunny Bunny Preschool located next door to TEMIS. Shopping & DiningThe Boroko Foodworld at Gordons is located less than 3 minutes away from all ends of Gordons, a popular grocery shop for expats and locals alike offering largely Western style foods as well as the Poppy’s Cafe. Less than half a kilometer away is the RH Hypermarket, also very popular for the locals and expats alike but provides more food for the asian cuisine.For those looking for locally grown produce, the Gordons Market is the market for buying fresh vegetables in bulk, for a very cheap price. Gordons Market however is also the location of the Gordon’s Bus Stop, bringing hundreds of commuters together at one time and has had issues with petty theft across the years. For a safer alternative, the H-hill Open Market is located across the road from TEMIS and amongst the residential properties. Here you will have access to both local produce as well as a variety of seafood.  Located in Gordons are various dining establishments mostly offering the asian cuisine such as Maggie’s Seafood Restaurant, Phoenix Restaurant, Regal Bar & Grill, Kiwa Korean Restaurant and the Brown Beans Cafe.Within Gordons, various other shops are available to find a variety of items that would be much too long to mention in this profile. Popular stores however, include the Brian Bell Home Centre, BNBM Home Centre and Courts. Furthermore, buildings in the area include South Pacific Brewery, Datec, the Air Niugini Head Office and A number of hardware stores can also be accessed in the area such as Plumbers & Builders and Agmark Hardware. NightlifeThere are a number of establishments that provide a place for an evening drink. Most notably is the Armani Club, Diamond Club and Club 22 in Gordons. Although these places are popular amongst locals, they are not highly recommended given the factor of security. Although all hope is not lost as Gordons borders Waigani and other establishments such as the Gekko Bar at Holiday, Lamana Gold Club and the Cosmopolitan are within 5 minutes driving distance. Basic ServicesThe Eda Ranu Head Office, the State Owned Entity responsible for supplying water to all residences in Port Moresby as well as other urban centres in PNG.Gordons Police Station is also located next to the Gordons Market, where people can go if need be; or they can be contacted on their emergency number 000. Gordons IndustrialLocated within the Gordon is an area known by the locals as ‘Gordon’s Industrial’ Located on the south side of the Poreporena Freeway, this area, as the name suggests, is where many of the industrial dealers may be found. Here you can find vehicle workshops such as Pit-Stop, Dunlop Tyre Services, ARB and other service centres such as the Brian Bell Service Center and ESCO.All within walking distance of one another, you can also find a Bank South Pacific branch with ATM access. A 2 minute walk away is the head office for Hitron, one of the major television network providers in PNG.If you’re looking to dine while you’re in the area, a Duffy’s Cafe is located right next to the Hitron office. For something more heavy, there are restaurants in the area such as the Imperial Chinese and Ang’s.

About the PNG rental marketResidents of Papua New Guinea will be unsurprised to hear that PNG properties for rent are the largest part of the real estate market. Unlike other countries in which real estate sales make-up the majority of activity, in PNG rental properties are where the bulk of transactions take place.The primary reason for this lies in PNG’s unique land titles system which means that the vast majority of real estate is owned under customary title, meaning there are limited plots of freehold land for sale. For a detailed explanation of the PNG land tenure system please visit our Port Moresby real estate page.As a result of the huge demand for rental properties, real estate agents maintain large teams dedicated to servicing landlords and tenants. Types of rental propertiesThe rental market can be divided into residential, commercial and land rentals. Residential rentalsThe residential market includes apartments, houses, townhouses, bedsitters (which are single room apartments similar to a studio apartment) and shared accommodation in which individual rooms are rented with shared bathrooms and other amenities.Generally, the cheapest rentals are 1 bedroom spaces in bedsitters (shared accommodation) which will rent for K150+ per week and the landlords typically prefer ladies. While 2 bedroom apartments and houses start at K500 per week and 3 bedroom apartments range from approximately K800 per week upwards. These prices are the lowest end of the available properties and will usually be found in less affluent areas such as Port Moresby’s Gerehu, Badili and Hohola.Unfortunately, the majority of rental properties in the major cities of Port Moresby and Lae are quite highly priced with approximately 60% of properties currently available on Hausples costing between than K1000 – K3000 per week. These properties are generally 2 to 3 bedroom and are located within a secure compound or apartment building with around the clock security. Rental properties of this type are available in suburbs such as East Boroko, Gordons and Korobosea.For expatriates, corporate rentals and executives, there are a range of properties costing K3,000 per week and ranging up to K7,000+ per week. These properties will all feature 24 / 7 security guards, full back-up electricity facilities, communal BBQ areas and most likely a pool. These houses and apartments are usually located in the best areas of Port Moresby such as the POM CBD (known as Town), Waigaini, Gordons and Ela Beach. Commercial rentalsPNG commercial real estate rentals are a relatively small segment of the market with under 50 commercial properties presently listed on Hausples.com.pg.The majority of commercial rentals are for warehouses and light commercial spaces. These properties are located within the major industrial centres in Gordons, 6 Mile and Badili. Whilst office space, commercial and retail (for example shops) rentals are commonly situated in Town(the Port Moresby CBD), 2 Mile and Boroko. Unfortunately PNG real estate agents do not tend to list monthly rental pricing for commercial property and as such many properties are listed as ‘Price On Application’. Land RentalsPNG land for rent is extremely limited. This is clearly demonstrated by a ratio of land rentals to land sales of 10 to 1 on the Hausples.com.pg website. Land for rent is generally limited to storage space. Undoubtedly there is a large amount of customary land which is rented for various purposes in rural areas for purposes such as agriculture, however this market is informal and therefore not listed on Hausples.com.pg. Hence, those searching for land to rent should also consider purchasing land Searching for PNG properties for rentHausples.com.pg recognises the importance of rental properties in PNG and as such our website is focussed on making it easy to search for and inquire about a rental home, land or commercial property. The site presently lists in excess of 500 homes for rent from over 20 real estate agents located in the major cities of Port Moresby and Lae.

When you buy a home, you naturally will want it to last. Given how much a home in PNG can cost you (47,521.33 K per square metre, according to Numbeo), purchasing an apartment in Port Moresby is a sizeable investment. So, you will want to be able to rely on that investment lasting as long as you need it to.At our recent Hausples PNG Real Estate Show, the director of prefabricated homes company Rhodes, Andrew Avenell, spoke of the dangers of investing in low quality housing in Port Moresby. As a result of poorly made homes, Mr Avenell claims that families can end up having to pay both high mortgage costs and maintenance fees 15 years down the line.So, when you are looking to buy a home in Port Moresby, how can you make sure you are getting quality? Here are a few simple home buying tips to help you protect yourself. Be wary of low pricesIf the price of a home seems too good to be true, there is a decent chance that the house may not be up to standard. For this reason, you should always thoroughly inspect the property before you buy it. This may slow things down, but it is worth it to ensure you get the best deal.A crack in the foundations of a home may be a sign that it will not last long enough. Look around the property for faults and features. Any damage to the property could be a sign that it is not structurally sound, leading to further complications down the line. Remember to ask the agent or owner any questions you may have. Request a valuationTo guarantee your purchase is fair, you should seek a valuation of the property. If a real estate agent is helping you to buy, ask if the price is reasonable. If you are still uncertain, arrange for a registered valuer to assess the home. You will be required to pay a fee for the valuation, so it may only be worth doing this if you have a genuine interest in buying.After valuation, you will receive a certificate showing what the fair price of the home would be, which you can use to inform your decision. Insure your home against damagesOnce you have bought the property and signed contracts with the real estate agent or owner, you should insure your home in order to receive compensation for further damages later on. It will be one of your most valuable assets, so in the case of fire, theft or other disaster, you will want to be able to replace or repair important belongings.If you're ready to start your hunt for your ideal home in Papua New Guinea, you've come to the right place. Here on Hausples, you can look through properties from a broad range of agents to find a quality home in PNG today.

Papua New Guinea’s first ever real estate show -The 2017 PNG Real Estate Show – organized by Hausples.com.pg, welcomed an influx of over 3000 local and international visitors on the 3rd and 4th of November- hosted at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex. Over 30 businesses in the real estate industry showcased their services to property renters, buyers and potential investors over the two days. The aim of Hausples.com.pg in organizing The 2017 PNG Real Estate Show, was to bring as many stakeholders of Papua New Guinea’s real estate industry together into one easily accessible forum. The company further aimed to provide an opportunity for the general public to learn about the real estate market as a whole in Papua New Guinea and any current and prospective changes taking place.The event included a wide range of exhibitors from the real estate industry; from real estate agents such as Century 21 Siule Real Estate, The Professionals and Strickland Real Estate, financial institutions such as Bank of South Pacific (BSP), and superannuation companies including Nambawan Super Limited, and National Superannuation Fund (NASFUND).In addition, PNG Forest Products, Rhodes Builders,Inc and the China Railway Group Limited, showcased a variety of different housing models which could be adopted by home buyers when looking at the construction phase of their new home. Home furnishing businesses; Brian Bell Group and FairPrice Furniture also exhibited their in-house furniture options; ranging from sofas to white ware -and other furnishing necessities.Guest speakers from across the industry delivered speeches over the two days, including topics such as; ‘Legal implications of apartment development and strata titles’, delivered by Mr John Leahy of Leahy Lewin Lowing Sullivan Lawyers, ‘Private sector perspective of addressing affordable housing’, by Kym Young, Director of Edai Town, and Ms. Linda Garo of Transpacific Assurance Limited, addressed common questions surrounding home insurance.Mr Tom Snelling, General Manager of Hausples.com.pg, believed these speeches at the show were important: “Education surrounding the property market is sorely lacking in Papua New Guinea and we believe including speakers about relevant topics in the real estate industry was a major draw card. Attendees gave positive feedback on speakers and we have some excellent suggestions for speakers for the next show.”Mr Snelling, reflecting on the show a whole believes the show was considered a success by attendees: “We’ve actually surveyed attendees and over 1,000 have taken the time to respond,” Mr. Snelling continued: “93% of respondents said that they enjoyed, and received value from the show. Moreover, 85% said they wanted to see more exhibitors at the 2018 Show.” Over 60% of attendees enquired about the purchasing property at the show- with a majority of those expressing an interest to purchase property in the immediate future, according to Mr Snelling.This sentiment was also confirmed by feedback from exhibitors: “We are proud to report that over 90% of exhibitors said that the show delivered on their expectations, whether it be generating leads or awareness of their product.” Mr Snelling stated.Mr Snelling has confirmed the return of the PNG Real Estate Show in 2018: “The show will be back- bigger and better than ever in 2018”. He explained that the date will likely be around mid-year 2018, and arrangements have already taken place to ensure 30% additional space will be available at the venue – for further exhibitors to take part in the show.Official Media Partners for the event were Bank South Pacific;Trans Pacific Assurance Limited; The National; Pascoe Group: Marketing & Brand Specialists Click TV PNG; Guys Official; Advantage PNG Audio & Photography; Skerah Papua New Guinea; LightSpeed Internet.

If I was considering buying a house with a Home Loan, what should I do?  There is always a first time for everything. Buying a house for the first time can be challenging, as the process will be new and you will need good advice and guidance to collect all the right documents to ensure that smooth processing of your loan application. Buying a house or property is a big investment for many Papua New Guineans, and takes a good amount of reasoning, planning and commitment. But if you have come to the point of making that choice of buying a property, here are a few tips that can help you go through, with your quest to own a property for the first time. Plan for unexpected expensesWhile property/house shopping, it is good to have extra funds put aside for additional expenses. If you are considering buying an existing property, that will need renovations, then you will need a quote from a contractor for the renovations. If you are planning to buy a brand new property, you may have other expenses that will required funds to assist. Every home buyer will have different requirements, so the extra savings and funds available can be helpful for you. Having additional funds available will help get through the initial stages of putting together your Home Loan application. Letter of SaleIt is advisable that as soon as you find a property that suits you, always ask for necessary proof of ownership from the landlord. A copy of the title is one of the key documents that you will need to have in order for you to buy the property. If it is a new property, make sure that the landlord writes you a Letter of Sale indicating the amount that he will sell the property to you. You should also write a letter to the landlord to accept the offer.Having these documents already assembled will help accelerate the processing of your loan application.⦁ Complete a Loan application form; ⦁ Letter of confirmation of employment & remuneration from current employer; ⦁ Letter of offer from the customer confirming the purchase price and copy of the state lease; ⦁ Letter of acceptance form the vendor; ⦁ Evidence of 20% equity contribution by the customer; ⦁ Super ID and copy of the latest statement; ⦁ Copy of Driver’s license/Passport, NID card;⦁ Salary Deduction AuthorityYour Home Loan application and pre assessmentsWhen trying to apply for our home loan, it is always good to enquire for information on the pack before lodging your application. A Loan officer can help you do an assessment of your loan application before you submit the application and give your guidance of the loan application process.It is always good to find out if you have all the required documents before submitting the application. Always ask the loan officer to confirm that all the appropriate paperwork in order before the application is lodged.Understand the various loan optionsIt is important that customers understand the various Home Loan Products offered in the market.Not all loan products are suitable for one customer, but each customer needs to understand the product before making a commitment.Every home buyer has their own unique financial situation and it’s important to understand which type of loan best suits your needs.For those curious about BSP’s First Home Ownership Scheme,below are few features to consider:Because the loans are intended to finance affordable housing for families who have never before owned a home, the loans have the following features:⦁ The loan amount is capped at K400, 000.⦁ The interest rate is fixed at 4%.⦁ To keep payments accessibly low, long loan terms of up to 40 years are available.⦁ There will be no bank charges or fees.⦁ Early repayment of the loan will not be penalised.You may be curious about how you can source your 10% equity?BSP has also offers an option for young workers to buy homes using their superannuation at an interesting 10% equity rather than a 20% equity which is a standard requirement offered by banks.The equity can be sourced from personal savings, stocks, bonds, term deposits, and proceeds from sale of personal property, Superannuation assistance (housing advance) and assistance from employer by way of Home Ownership grants. Click here to contact BSP.

Pictured is the Rokolo Clan of Irupara Village in the Central Province, the first ever recipients of a Customary Land Title issued in the province. Photo source: lands.gov.pg Only about 5% of land in Papua New Guinea belongs to the State, the remaining 95% of the land therefore belongs to customary landowners across the country. With the increasing number of tangible developments around PNG, the percentage of State owned land is set to increase meaning a lot more customary land owners will eventually be dispossessed. In an article in the Post Courier in August this year, Barney Orere explains this issue and the steps to be taken to protect one’s interest in customary land. Bringing You Up to SpeedPapua New Guineans have a very strong connection to the land which is the foundation of our many customary traditions and beliefs, even to this day the land customarily owned provides means of daily survival for those living in rural areas. Without getting too entangled in legal jargon, but in order to protect this interest, those bringing our country towards Independence ensured that our right to our land be protected in the Constitution. Hence, Section 53 of the Constitution provides that any possession or interest in any property cannot be acquired unless it is by agreement or by compulsory acquisition. Compulsorily acquisition only occurs where the land is needed for public purpose or for a reason that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.To enter into agreement whilst using customary land as collateral, it must be done so through an Incorporated Land Group (ILG) the process being made available for by the Incorporated Land Groups Amendment Act 2009 and the Land Registration Amendment Act 2009. Why Register Customary Land Groups?The further the State develops infrastructure, there would be a larger need for land to be acquired for public purposes. “The aim is to give prominence to landowners so they can participate in Vision 2050 by leasing their land and benefit from royalties. In that way land lying idle is put to gainful use.Land may only be acquired by the State, in accordance Section 53, where there has been just compensation paid for the land. The significant difference is that where land is compulsorily acquired, just compensation need only to be paid once. Where it is entered into by agreement, it means there has been discussions between the State and an ILG, where the ILG has leased the land to State for a certain period. When the period comes an end, the lease may be extended, meaning another payment is to be made to the ILG. The benefit of this as well is the flexibility in dealing with the land; it not only needs to be leased to the land, but corporations as well.Eda Tano Haus, Department of Lands & Physical Planning Located between Aopi Centre and Lamana Hotel, Waigani Photo source: lands.gov.pg How to Protect Your Land?Orere explains that before the need for compulsory acquisition catches up to customary land owners, they must take the proactive step to register the clan and its ownership over the land. “First you must visit the Incorporated Land Group Division and after you’ve been issued a registration certificate over your customary land, the next stop is the Customary Land Registration Division – to facilitate your land title. The processes have been accommodated by the amendments to the law to help you, the customary landowner, to do this.”, Orere says. As a further measure of protection, customary land is owned by clans and cannot be sold by individuals. One must get consent from all members to engage in its registration and subsequent business dealings. What Are the Risks Involved?“Once your customary land is registered, you can use your title as collateral to enter into the gainful activity, either through business or with the State through leasing arrangement.”, Orere remarked. Therefore, the risk involved from entering into certain activity are the same as any other commercial transaction.  A recent issue which became apparent was that agreements being entered into was not done voluntarily or with the consent of clan members which led declaring of all Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL’s) illegal in March earlier this year. Further issues include the problems such as businesses taking advantage of the land an exploiting it for purposes unintended. In such cases, the Courts have been willing to intervene to nullify certain contracts and hold those responsible. Should You Register Customary Land?Simply put, yes. All customary landowners, whether apportionment large or small, should look to have their customarily owned land registered through an ILG because given the structure of our legal system, the State may acquire it despite objections. Director for the Customary Land Registration at the DLPP remarked “The momentum is slowly picking up to register customary land. People want to retain their bond with the land and through leasing arrangement benefit by making use of the land this way.”The only way to ensure that an interest is kept in the land and the future generations of the clans can benefit from the land will be to register the land. Thus, although possession may be given up, royalties may continue to be acquired. Sign Up Here to Get Latest News!