I’ve been asked if I would consider a role in Papua New Guinea during a recent career discussion? It seems scary but people keep telling me otherwise. What’s it really like there’s. Good BU or toxic?
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Worse than you could ever imagine. It doesn’t take much imagination to see the place is at risk of having a major security event at any moment. I would never step foot in the country if I was a woman and even men are at risk. A no go zone for women for sure.
She who will not be named is still there so no change at all in the culture
I enjoyed my time there but I couldn’t wait to get out towards the end. OP is correct when they say there are some great people there but the culture changed and not for the better. Some of the leaders are great and care but some are awful (screaming, getting emotional when they don’t get their way; spending many hours on PowerPoints so they look good upwards) and these bad ones keep getting placated and getting away with their behaviors.
Don’t let them force you into PNG. If you think the recent Middle East events were bad from a security standpoint PNG has the potential to be much much worse.
The good ones have given up as the poison was not stopped last year.
Don’t touch it; it’s toxic
How is PNG now? With the Middle East and Mozambique delayed, maybe the only place with Projects upcoming so interested to get feedback?
There are some great people there and some toxic people. The Dev manager is one of them. I have no idea how she has not had a complaint against her.
Is this why CK resigned? He was excellent and a breathe of fresh air. He lasted what 3 months with her
Good (actually great) people refuse assignments on her team. PNG and AUS management know and do nothing.
Amazing how many votes the Dev Mgr has got and not in good way. everyone knows about but they turn a blind eye because perceived results and upwards focus without ever getting a project over the line. WAEM behaviours are a joke.
D-man never looked after us in Malaysia. He sold us off to the highest bidder as soon as he could without caring or making sure we all have jobs. We all expected him to retire as he was already retired in place but no, he went off for his next expat gig to make his fortune. he doesn’t inspire, doesn't exhibit many of the new behaviours we expect. Old school for sure.
Current PNG expat. Everything is fu$&ed here. Run!
The airport is definitely not easy. It is in total shambles. They can’t even keep the air conditioning working. There are security issues the moment you enter the country. Be careful.
I spent several years working there as an expatriate before I retired. Spouse accompanied me. Contrary to what one poster said, the current LCM is superb and is on his second gig in the country. We thoroughly enjoyed our assignment. If you are adventurous, it is a great gig. Do your research and don’t get overly swayed by all the negatives. The housing compound and main office is near the airport, making it easy for travel out of the country.
Is local management recruiting you? Are you Canadian? Worked Sakhalin? If so you’re probably okay. If your manager is not in PNG you’re probably okay too. If none of above, be wary.
I agree with others. The most dangerous thing about PNG isn’t even in PNG. It’s the dev manager based in oz. Most toxic manager I’ve dealt with in over 20 years with the company. And can’t even get a project over the line.
Multiculturalism. Isn’t it great! We could learn so much.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-25/papua-new-guinea-deaths-tribal-conflict/104143002
Hope you are good at dodging spears and machete attacks
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/spears-machetes-used-in-attack-on-tourists-in-png
They like to cut each other and foreigners up with their machetes. Women, children, doesn’t matter.
https://www.pngfacts.com/news/suspect-in-attack-on-foreign-tourists-in-pngs-rabaul-surrenders-to-police
Extremely toxic expat bunch, hand picked by the last LCM. Gorgeous country and local people but no interesting work in near future.
Toxic leadership and then in the compound there are some real perverts and deviants. Swingers and cucks. Gross stuff. Hard not to notice in the compound.
Everyone is talking about security but the leadership are mostly toxic especially the new projects commercial team.
If you are claustrophobic dont go. The fenced in compound starts to feel very small after a couple of months of not leaving. It is as close to living inside of a prison as I care to experience.
I hope you like working and Netflix because that is all there is to do there.
You pretty much have to stay within the fenced in compound. There is nothing to do other than work and work. If you are single there is no chance of dating. Basically you will go bored out of your mind.
PNG is fine. Keep to yourself and don't be swayed out of your comfort zone by the locals or id--ts,.
@ej you should probably not leave the woodlands. Downtown Houston might scare you
« Security is fine » until it isn’t. They can’t pay me enough to mitigate the possibility of ra-e or death. Risk is consequence and probability. High consequence and too high probability. The corruption and tribalism is real. They are too close to total anarchy for me. Watch the purge and then realize that could happen at any moment in PNG. Even business trip is risky.
If you are married with kids go unaccompanied. I’d never put my family through living there. They would all have to take mental health dr-gs to cope.
PNG is comparable to our Africa locations. Security is fine as long as you stay within the rules. Some great people but some absolute toxic people but most of them work in the new projects commercial space. I haven’t worked PNG for a few years though so it may have changed.
@eb good job copying and pasting
Guess you’ve never been to PNG?
Papua New Guinea Travel Advisory
Travel Advisory
April 29, 2025Papua New Guinea - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.
Reconsider travel to Papua New Guinea due to crime, civil unrest, and piracy. Exercise increased caution due to kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent availability of healthcare services, and potential for natural disasters. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do not travel to:
Central Bougainville, particularly areas near the Panguna mine, due to civil unrest.
The Highlands region, other than the towns of Mt. Hagen and Goroka, due to civil unrest.
Country Summary: Violent crime, including s-xual as--ult, carjackings, home invasions, and armed robberies, is common. There have been reports of criminals attacking resorts popular with foreign tourists to steal goods and money. Tensions between communal or tribal groups may lead to civil unrest involving violence and can occur without warning. Police presence is limited outside of the capital, Port Moresby, and police may be unable to assist due to limited resources.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port Moresby due to limited transportation infrastructure. U.S. government employees must obtain authorization before traveling to certain areas, including the central part of Bougainville and the provinces of Southern Highlands, Western Highlands (excluding Mt. Hagen), Eastern Highlands (excluding Goroka), Hela, Enga, Jiwaka, and other areas of Papua New Guinea where one is unable to fly directly.
Piracy is active in the waters surrounding Papua New Guinea. Travelers by boat should reconsider travel to the Bismarck and Solomon Seas along Papua New Guinea's north and eastern coasts. In 2021 and 2022, the Embassy was aware of at least three occasions in which sailboats operated by or carrying U.S. citizens were boarded by criminals. The criminals, who have been known to use physical violence, robbed the boats, and in one incident, severely injured the captain when he attempted to fight back.
Visit our website on International Maritime Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea.
Kidnapping for ransom or political influence occurs in Papua New Guinea, though foreign nationals are not frequently targeted. In February 2023, a foreign national was kidnapped. In late 2022, foreign nationals employed by an international company were kidnapped and held for several days.
Travelers should exercise increased caution when traveling in remote areas of Papua New Guinea due to the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) remaining from the Second World War. UXO is discovered infrequently throughout the country, often on smaller islands.
Papua New Guinea has inconsistent availability of healthcare services. Healthcare may be difficult to obtain outside of Port Moresby. Pharmaceuticals may be scarce or unavailable.
Papua New Guinea is subject to periodic seismic activity and is home to several active volcanoes. The country does experience regular volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. U.S. citizens are advised to familiarize themselves with volcano updates, earthquake tracking, and tsunami warnings in Papua New Guinea. U.S. citizens should develop contingency plans in the event of an eruption or major earthquake.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Papua New Guinea.
If you decide to travel to Papua New Guinea:
Do not use local taxis or buses, known as public motor vehicles or PMVs.
Travel with guides from a reputable tour company, particularly if you plan to hike.
Avoid walking or driving at night.
Avoid areas in the vicinity of active volcanoes.
Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
Do not touch unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance.
Bring a sufficient supply of over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
Avoid sailing around the waters of Papua New Guinea and review the Live Piracy Report published by the International Maritime Bureau.
If sailing, have functioning communication and emergency equipment, such as a satellite phone, VHF radio, and emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB).
Review our crisis and disaster abroad webpage.
Review the CDC’s suggestions on preparing for natural disasters.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive messages and Alerts from the U.S. Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Review the Country Security Report for Papua New Guinea.
Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Prepare a plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
Areas Near the Panguna Mine on the island of Bougainville – Level 4: Do Not Travel
The Autonomous Bougainville Government has designated areas near the Panguna mine as a “no go zones" due to the risk of violence from civil unrest. Bougainville police lack the resources to respond to emergency calls.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Do not travel to this area for any reason.
The Highlands Region (excluding Mt. Hagen and Goroka) – Level 4: Do Not Travel
There is a heightened risk of civil unrest from tribal violence throughout the region, including the provinces of Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Hela, Enga, and Jiwaka. The towns of Mt. Hagen (Western Highlands) and Goroka (Eastern Highlands) generally have a more stable police presence than other towns and villages across the Highlands provinces. Do not travel to this area for any reason.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/papua-new-guinea-travel-advisory.html
Port Moresby does have security issues, but as long as you follow the security guidelines it’s fine.
Restaurants there are okay, yacht club is decent and when you get fed up jump on a plane to Cairns for a weekend
@bk yeah this is the biggest thing… “island fever” if you don’t get to rotate off
Don’t go; the LCM is the same one that sold off Malaysia and shutdown Russia. Hatchet man.
Don’t forget the frequent earthquakes. Serious risk to your health not only during the earthquake but afterwards when there is looting and violence.
Too much crime. Basically unsafe to leave the barbed wire fenced and guarded compound. If things really kick off not a chance the security guards dont turn their backs and join in on the chaos.
Nothing to do when you aren’t working. Avoid at all costs.
https://pg.usembassy.gov/category/alert/
And don’t let anyone convince you P-M is some safe resort town and the problems are just in the villages
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/11/world/papua-new-guinea-riots-police-strike-intl-hnk/index.html
Very violent culture. There is a reason the premium is as high as it is. Even if you are exmilitary you can’t have a we-pon to defend yourself. Not safe for women or children. Not really safe for men either.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-25/papua-new-guinea-deaths-tribal-conflict/104143002