Port Moresby

File:A Hiri expedition in the 1990s.jpg arriving in Port Moresby in the 1990s]]

Prior to the arrival of Europeans to the region, it was inhabited by the Motu-Koitabu. The Motu were originally coastal dwellers, while the Koitabu lived more inland.{{cite journal |last1=Goddard |first1=Michael |title=Rethinking Western Motu Descent Groups |journal=Oceania |date=June 2001 |volume=71 |issue=4 |pages=313–333 |doi=10.1002/j.1834-4461.2001.tb02756.x |jstor=40332111 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40332111 |access-date=12 February 2023|hdl=1959.13/26788 |hdl-access=free }} There was significant intermarriage between these two groups. They were organized into units called iduhu, which are somewhat similar to clans.

{{stack|File:British flag raised on new guinea annexed by queensland.jpg|}}

File:Government House Port Moresby early 1900s.jpg

In 1883, Queensland attempted to annex the south-eastern corner of the New Guinea Island (subsequently known as Papua), fearing that Germany would take control of the entire eastern half of the island.{{cite journal |last1=Gordon |first1=Donald C. |title='Beginnings of an Australasian Pacific Policy' |journal=Political Science Quarterly |date=1945 |volume=60 |issue=1 |page=85 |doi=10.2307/2144459 |jstor=2144459 }} British authorities refused to approve the annexation following the German annexation of New Guinea in 1884, but four years later it established a protectorate over Papua as British New Guinea.

In 1905, the recently federated Australian government passed the Papua Act which came into effect in 1906. The act transferred Papua, with Port Moresby as its capital, to direct Australian rule. From then until 1941 Port Moresby grew slowly. The main growth was on the peninsula, where port facilities and other services were gradually improved. The first butcher's shop and grocery opened in 1909,{{cite news | title =March of Civilisation | work =The Argus | page =5 | publisher =The Argus Office, Melbourne Victoria | date =7 September 1909 | url =https://e-journal.iain-palangkaraya.ac.id/files/journals/9/articles/5183/submission/original/5183-15633-2-SM.html | access-date =29 November 2009 | archive-date =4 August 2018 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180804222129/http://rockinrebel.com/ | url-status =dead }} electricity was introduced in 1925,{{cite news | title =Progress in Papua | work =The Argus | page =12 | publisher =The Argus Office, Melbourne Victoria | date =5 September 1925 | url =https://e-journal.iain-palangkaraya.ac.id/files/journals/9/articles/5183/submission/original/5183-15633-2-SM.html | access-date =29 November 2009 | archive-date =4 August 2018 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180804222129/http://rockinrebel.com/ | url-status =dead }} and piped water supply was provided in 1941.{{cite news | title =Department of the Interior: Tenders | work =The Argus | page =18 | publisher =The Argus Office, Melbourne Victoria | date =25 January 1941 | url =https://e-journal.iain-palangkaraya.ac.id/files/journals/9/articles/5183/submission/original/5183-15633-2-SM.html | access-date =29 November 2009 | archive-date =4 August 2018 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180804222129/http://rockinrebel.com/ | url-status =dead }}

File:The long-closed Burns Philp department store.jpg department store, in the mid-1990s having been used as a private school building]]

During World War II, some Papuan men enlisted in the Papua Infantry Battalion and others as carriers over trails and rough terrains (porters) as supply support to Allied and Japanese armies during long jungle marches.{{cite web|url=https://e-journal.iain-palangkaraya.ac.id/files/journals/9/articles/5183/submission/original/5183-15633-2-SM.html|title=Australian War Memorial - AJRP Essays|publisher=Ajrp.awm.gov.au|access-date=2010-04-25|archive-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804222129/http://rockinrebel.com/|url-status=dead}} Historian William Manchester outlines in his biography of General Douglas MacArthur, American Caesar, that acting as porters was well down the natives' list of acceptable voluntary activities and that they would fade away without great inducements.American Caesar, William Manchester, 1978, Little Brown Company, 793 pages, {{ISBN|0-316-54498-1}}, pp.306: "On and about Jul-Sep 1942 and MacArthur's troops stop the Japanese in the difficult jungles of New Guinea and General Kenney gifts Port Moresby to the SAC by moving the bomber line {{convert|1800|mi|km|disp=sqbr}} to five new air bases." Many Papuan residents of Port Moresby either returned to their family villages or were evacuated to camps when the threat of Japanese invasion loomed. By September 1942, the city was an important Allied complex of bases, and thousands of troops were stationed in the area or more often, staged through it, as it was the last Allied bastion on the island{{cite book |title=Amazon.com listing for the "Four Corners: A Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea" |isbn=0792274172 |last1=Salak |first1=Kira |year=2004 |publisher=National Geographic }}{{cite web |url=http://www.kirasalak.com/FourCorners.html |title=Nonfiction book about Papua New Guinea,"Four Corners" |last=Salak |first=Kira |access-date=2008-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120015656/http://www.kirasalak.com/FourCorners.html |archive-date=2008-11-20 |url-status=live }} and, conversely, a key staging and jumping off point as the Allies began conducting offensive warfare themselves, pushing back the Japanese advances.American Caesar, William Manchester, 1978, Little Brown Company,793 pages, {{ISBN|0-316-54498-1}}, pp.290-307: "On and about Feb-Dec 1942 and MacArthur's reorganization of troops, lack of theater priority, his support for Guadalcanal and his daring offensive gamble in going to meet the Japanese in the difficult jungles of New Guinea as a way of conducting a forward defense of Australia, rather than risk a war of maneuver when he had insufficient forces to move around." General MacArthur located his headquarters in Port Moresby from November 1942 to October 1944.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

In 1945, the Territory of Papua and New Guinea was formed when Papua and the former German New Guinea, which had been administered by Australia since 1918, were amalgamated under a single Australian administration though several laws remained in two territories and remain so, which can be complicating with provinces sitting on two sides of the otherwise extinct boundary. Port Moresby became the capital of the new combined territory and a focal point for the expansion of public services. Port Moresby was granted city status in 1972, with Oala Oala-Rarua becoming the first Lord Mayor.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/250270589 Our first city] Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, 14 April 1972

File:Port Moresby parliament building front, by Steve Shattuck.jpg

In September 1975, Papua New Guinea became an independent country with Port Moresby as its capital city. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, represented the Queen of Papua New Guinea at the celebrations.{{citation| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/9552611/Prince-of-Wales-and-Duchess-of-Cornwall-to-make-Australian-visit.html| title=Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to make Australian visit| date=19 September 2012| newspaper=The Telegraph| access-date=21 September 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921114200/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/9552611/Prince-of-Wales-and-Duchess-of-Cornwall-to-make-Australian-visit.html| archive-date=21 September 2012| url-status=live}} New government, intellectual and cultural buildings were constructed in the suburb of Waigani to supplement and replace those of downtown Port Moresby. They included those for government departments, including a National Parliament Building, which was opened in 1984 by Prince Charles and blends traditional design with modern building technology.

File:Douglas Street Port Moresby.jpg

File:Site of POM downtown UC being redeveloped.jpg

The Papua New Guinea National Museum and National Library are in Waigani. A mansion was built in Port Moresby just west of the old legislative building but the last pre-independence chief minister and first prime minister of the sovereign state declared it not nearly grand enough; it was made the residence of Australian high commissioners and a mansion suitable to Somare's demands was built in Waigani.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

Several of the government buildings have been abandoned due to long-term neglect. Chief amongst these are Marea Haus (known to most locals as the "Pineapple Building") and the Central Government Offices.{{cn|date=April 2023}} However, widespread restoration rather than demolition of long-disused office buildings has been highly active since the first decade of the 21st century.{{cn|date=April 2023}} The legislative building before independence and the first parliament building is long-gone but the old court house in town Port Moresby remains, bearing its pre-independence label with its previous title.

The population of the Port Moresby area expanded rapidly after independence. In 1980, the census return registered a population of 120,000; by 1990, this had increased to 195,000.{{Cite web |url=http://pcabii.org/resources/provinces/Port%20Moresby.pdf |title=pcabii.org |access-date=2017-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803055354/http://pcabii.org/resources/provinces/Port%20Moresby.pdf |archive-date=2017-08-03 |url-status=live }}

Moresby has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw) with relatively constant temperatures throughout the year. Port Moresby's average yearly rainfall is {{convert|898.8|mm|2|disp=or}}, making it the driest place in New Guinea.

The wet season starts in December and ends in May; the dry season covers the remaining six months. This is due to the south-easterly trade winds running parallel to the coast, and the city being surrounded by high mountains. The average high temperatures range from {{convert|28|to|32|C|F|1}} depending on time of year, while the average low temperature shows very little seasonal variation, hovering around the {{convert|23|°C|1}} mark. It tends to be slightly cooler in the city during the dry season.

{{Weather box

| location = Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 36.2

| Feb record high C = 36.1

| Mar record high C = 35.4

| Apr record high C = 34.2

| May record high C = 33.8

| Jun record high C = 33.9

| Jul record high C = 33.3

| Aug record high C = 33.8

| Sep record high C = 34.8

| Oct record high C = 35.5

| Nov record high C = 36.3

| Dec record high C = 36.3

| year record high C = 36.3

| Jan high C = 32.1

| Feb high C = 31.6

| Mar high C = 31.4

| Apr high C = 31.3

| May high C = 31.0

| Jun high C = 30.3

| Jul high C = 29.9

| Aug high C = 30.3

| Sep high C = 31.0

| Oct high C = 32.0

| Nov high C = 32.5

| Dec high C = 32.4

| year high C = 31.3

| Jan mean C = 27.4

| Feb mean C = 27.3

| Mar mean C = 27.1

| Apr mean C = 27.0

| May mean C = 26.9

| Jun mean C = 26.1

| Jul mean C = 25.7

| Aug mean C = 26.1

| Sep mean C = 26.5

| Oct mean C = 27.5

| Nov mean C = 27.6

| Dec mean C = 27.8

|year mean C = 26.9

| Jan low C = 23.7

| Feb low C = 23.5

| Mar low C = 23.4

| Apr low C = 23.5

| May low C = 23.5

| Jun low C = 23.1

| Jul low C = 22.4

| Aug low C = 22.6

| Sep low C = 23.2

| Oct low C = 23.5

| Nov low C = 23.6

| Dec low C = 23.7

| year low C = 23.3

| Jan record low C = 20.4

| Feb record low C = 18.8

| Mar record low C = 18.3

| Apr record low C = 16.8

| May record low C = 14.5

| Jun record low C = 14.5

| Jul record low C = 10.4

| Aug record low C = 14.8

| Sep record low C = 14.4

| Oct record low C = 16.3

| Nov record low C = 16.0

| Dec record low C = 19.6

| year record low C = 10.4

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 192.2

| Feb rain mm = 140.6

| Mar rain mm = 189.8

| Apr rain mm = 105.2

| May rain mm = 56.2

| Jun rain mm = 21.6

| Jul rain mm = 13.8

| Aug rain mm = 12.0

| Sep rain mm = 14.4

| Oct rain mm = 15.2

| Nov rain mm = 40.0

| Dec rain mm = 97.8

| unit rain days = 0.1 mm

| Jan rain days = 18

| Feb rain days = 16

| Mar rain days = 18

| Apr rain days = 11

| May rain days = 9

| Jun rain days = 6

| Jul rain days = 4

| Aug rain days = 4

| Sep rain days = 5

| Oct rain days = 5

| Nov rain days = 6

| Dec rain days = 12

| Jan humidity = 79

| Feb humidity = 81

| Mar humidity = 81

| Apr humidity = 82

| May humidity = 81

| Jun humidity = 79

| Jul humidity = 77

| Aug humidity = 76

| Sep humidity = 76

| Oct humidity = 76

| Nov humidity = 75

| Dec humidity = 77

|year humidity = 78

|Jan sun = 182

|Feb sun = 158

|Mar sun = 184

|Apr sun = 200

|May sun = 211

|Jun sun = 200

|Jul sun = 203

|Aug sun = 222

|Sep sun = 213

|Oct sun = 231

|Nov sun = 243

|Dec sun = 216

|year sun = 2463

|source 1 = World Meteorological Organization{{cite web

| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=1246

| title = World Weather Information Service — Port Moresby

| publisher = World Meteorological Organization

| access-date = 29 January 2016

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160206100459/http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=1246

| archive-date = 6 February 2016

| url-status = live

}}

|source 2 = Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes, mean temperature, humidity and sun){{cite web

| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_920350_kt.pdf

| title = Klimatafel von Port Moresby (Flugh.) / Papua-Neuguinea

| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world

| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst

| language = de

| access-date = 29 January 2016

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190817201653/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_920350_kt.pdf

| archive-date = 17 August 2019

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| url = ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/multi_annual/sunshine_duration/1961_1990.txt

| title = Station 92035 Port Moresby W.O.

| work = Global station data 1961–1990—Sunshine Duration

| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171017195327/ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/multi_annual/sunshine_duration/1961_1990.txt

| archive-date = 2017-10-17

| url-status = dead

| access-date = 29 January 2016

}}{{efn|[https://web.archive.org/web/20171017195318/ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/help/stations_list_CLIMAT_data.txt Station ID for Port Moresby is 92035] Use this station ID to locate the sunshine duration}}

| date = August 2010

}}

{{main|List of Port Moresby suburbs}}

File:Walter Bay from hills.jpg

File:Ela Beach Port Moresby.JPG

File:Poor coastal housing at Hanuabada in Port Moresby1.jpg

Port Moresby is the single district of the National Capital District, which contains three Local Level Government (LLG) areas. For census purposes, the LLG areas are subdivided into wards and those into census units.{{Cite web |url=http://www.spc.int/PRISM/country/pg/Stats/Special_Products/Descrpn.htm |title=National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea |access-date=2015-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102043001/http://www.spc.int/PRISM/country/pg/Stats/Special_Products/Descrpn.htm |archive-date=2016-01-02 |url-status=live }}

The National Capital District machinery of government also incorporates the Motu Koita Assembly, established by an act of parliament to represent the traditional landowners of Port Moresby, the Motu and Koitabu people. The Assembly governs the traditional lands and inhabitants of the ten recognised villages, and is the only entity of its kind in Papua New Guinea. The Chair of the Motu Koita Assembly also holds the position of Deputy Governor of the National Capital District.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Port Moresby refers to both the urbanised area of the National Capital District and more specifically to the main business area, known locally as "Town".{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Since the 1990s the original town centre has ceased to have restaurants and night life, though it is very successful and prosperous-looking as an office centre. The affluent housing region north of downtown along and up from the coast remains so, though there are now few modest residential houses, most of which are replaced with substantial mansions and apartment buildings.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

The suburb of Boroko, once the commercial heart of Port Moresby, is very idle, with many former shopping buildings now{{when|date=July 2023}} empty; the west is full of high rises, shopping centres and affluent housing. Other neighbourhoods of Port Moresby include Koki, with its popular fresh produce market, Newtown, Konedobu, Kaevaga, Badili, Gabutu, Kila Kila, Matirogo, Three Mile, Kaugere, Sabama, Korobosea, Four Mile, Hohola, Hohola North, Boroko, Gordons, Gordons North, Erima, Saraga, Waigani, Morata and Gerehu.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Villages within Port Moresby include:

• Hanuabada, which offers a safe haven for LGBT people in PNG{{cite web | last=Vega | first=Chito de la | title=Papua New Guinea's 'gay village' offers sanctuary, hope | website=RAPPLER | date=30 November 2018 | url=https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/217944-papua-new-guinea-gay-village/ | access-date=26 July 2023}}
• Kira Kira village{{cite web | title=Kira Kira residents receive food aid | website=The National | url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/kira-kira-residents-receive-food-aid/ | access-date=26 July 2023}} (sometimes spelt Kirakira{{cite web | title=Kirakira village in Moresby-South showcases women's SMEs | website=The PNG Bulletin | date=4 May 2021 | url=https://thepngbulletin.com/news/business/kirakira-village-in-moresby-south-hosts-sme-market-to-empower-women/ | access-date=26 July 2023}}), the home town of Australian footballer Mary Fowler's mother

{{more|Crime in Papua New Guinea}}

Al Jazeera describes Port Moresby as "one of the most dangerous cities in the world".{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/program/101-east/2021/4/30/gangs-of-papua-new-guinea|title=The Gangs of Papua New Guinea |date=2021-04-30 |accessdate=2021-11-12 |quote= |publisher=Al Jazeera }} ABC Australia reports that "many homes have big fences covered in metal sheeting, locked gates and internal steel security doors."{{cite news |author=Eric Tlozek |agency= |title=Security in PNG's Port Moresby under spotlight as APEC summit approaches |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-30/security-in-port-moresby-png-issue-ahead-of-apec-summit/9920752 |quote= |newspaper=ABC Australia |date=2018-06-30 |access-date=2021-12-14 }}

Travel by foot is not recommended in and about the city and suburbs due to continuing breakdown in law and order. The UN Global Compact Cities Programme, using a method called Circles of Sustainability, has assessed the urban security of Port Moresby as 'critical'.{{Cite book | last1= James | first1= Paul | author-link= Paul James (academic) | last2= Nadarajah | first2= Yaso | last3= Haive | first3= Karen | last4= Stead | first4= Victoria | title= Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Development: Other Paths for Papua New Guinea | url=https://www.academia.edu/3230875| year= 2012 | publisher= University of Hawaii Press | location= Honolulu }}

File:Port Moresby Airport looking west.jpg, looking east across the airstrip]]

Port Moresby is served within the city by buses and privately owned taxis. Flights are vital for transport about the country, highways not being widely available. Port Moresby is served by Jacksons International Airport, the biggest international airport and Papua New Guinea Defence Force Air Wing base in the country.

As the national highway system is not fully linked, there are many internal flights to other towns, such as Lae and Madang, which have no direct road connection to Port Moresby.

File:PortMoresbyFromTheISS.jpg]]

Papua New Guinea is rich in natural resources, which account for two thirds of its export earnings. Though PNG is filled with resources, the lack of development led foreign countries to take over some sites. Continuing foreign demand for PNG's resources led the United States to set up an oil company that began to export in 2004. This was the largest project in PNG's history. The project increased the potential to triple PNG's export revenue. Papua New Guinea gained much assistance from Australia and was offered two hundred million dollars a year in aid, and many countries such as Singapore, Japan and China have also played a great part in PNG's industry business.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/papua-new-guinea/|title=The World Factbook|website=www.cia.gov|access-date=2016-03-14}} The decision to host the 2018 APEC meeting,{{Cite web|url=http://www.apecpng2018.org/|title=APECPNG2018.ORG|website=www.apecpng2018.org|access-date=2016-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709114755/http://apecpng2018.org/|archive-date=2016-07-09|url-status=live}} brought a large number of world leaders to Port Moresby.

There has been substantial building of housing, office towers, shopping malls and commercial establishments over much of the city.{{cn|date=February 2022}} The waterfront area has been completely redeveloped with apartments, restaurants and shopping centres.{{cn|date=July 2024}} Sporting facilities were upgraded significantly for the 2015 Pacific Games, and further development took place in preparation for the 2016 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/|title=FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016 |last=FIFA.com|website=FIFA.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817171121/http://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/|archive-date=2016-08-17|url-status=live}}

Air Niugini, the national airline of Papua New Guinea, and Airlines PNG, the second biggest airline in the country, have their head offices on the grounds of Jacksons International Airport."[http://www.apng.com/index.asp?pgid=13 APNG Contacts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913092018/http://www.apng.com/index.asp?pgid=13 |date=2009-09-13 }}." Airlines PNG. Retrieved on 26 May 2010.

The 1969 South Pacific Games, held from 13 to 23 August 1969 at Port Moresby, were the third South Pacific Games to be held. A total of 1,150 athletes participated.{{cite book

|date= 2011

|first= Stuart |last= Hawthorne

|title= Taim Bipo

|publisher= Boolarong Press

|pages= 88–89

|access-date= 15 May 2015

|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Sg1QBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA88

|isbn=978-1-876344962}}

The 1991 South Pacific Games held from 7–21 September 1991 at Port Moresby and along Lae were the ninth South Pacific Games to be held. This was the first time that events at one games had been held in two cities. The decision to do so was to allow both locations to benefit from the construction of new facilities.{{cite web

|date= 1992

|first= Brian |last= Wightman

|title= Ninth South Pacific Games in Port Moresby

|publisher= Olympic Information Cente

|pages= 50–53

|access-date= 15 May 2015

|format= PDF 0.4 MB

|url= http://library.la84.org/OlympicInformationCenter/OlympicReview/1992/ore291/ORE291r.pdf

|url-status= live

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150515114101/http://library.la84.org/OlympicInformationCenter/OlympicReview/1992/ore291/ORE291r.pdf

|archive-date= 15 May 2015}}

Cricket PNG is the official governing body of the sport of cricket in Papua New Guinea. Its headquarters is in Port Moresby. Cricket PNG is Papua New Guinea's representative at the International Cricket Council and is an associate member and has been a member of that body since 1973. It is also a member of the East Asia-Pacific Cricket Council.{{Cite web |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/other/content/team/20.html |title=Cricinfo-Papua New Guinea |access-date=2015-08-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623070625/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/other/content/team/20.html |archive-date=2008-06-23 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.cricketpng.com/ |title=cricketpng |access-date=2015-08-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016094304/http://www.cricketpng.com/ |archive-date=2015-10-16 |url-status=live }}

The city hosted the 2017 FIBA Melanesia Basketball Cup, where the Papua New Guinea national basketball team won the gold medal.

The city is home to the Port Moresby Vipers rugby league team who play in the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League. The National football stadium is also home to the PNG Hunters, a rugby league team that compete in the majority Australian Queensland Cup.

The 2015 Pacific Games were held in Port Moresby from 4 to 18 July 2015.[http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120418/sport.htm "Pacific Games dates set"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120911024838/http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120418/sport.htm |date=2012-09-11 }}, Post-Courier, 18 April 2012 In September 2009, the Pacific Games Council, at its meeting coinciding with the 2009 Pacific Mini Games, elected Port Moresby as the host of the 2015 Games. The final vote was 25–22 in favour of Port Moresby over Tonga.[http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-2642-0-0-0&sID=24021&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=10142202§ionID=24021 PNG2015 - Papua New Guinea Wins] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010064050/http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-2642-0-0-0&sID=24021&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=10142202§ionID=24021 |date=2012-10-10 }}, published by the Pacific Games Council, on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2009.

The 2015 Pacific Games involved 24 countries from the Pacific regions competing in 28 sports events, including: basketball, soccer, touch rugby, table tennis, weightlifting, triathlon, swimming, cricket, squash, shooting, sailing, va'a, rugby 7s, powerlifting, rugby league 9s, volleyball, beach volleyball, athletics, hockey, netball, karate, lawn bowls, bodybuilding, boxing, softball, taekwondo, golf, and canoeing. Papua New Guinea ranked first with the most medals followed by New Caledonia and Tahiti.{{Cite web|url=http://www.portmoresby2015.com/|title=The Pacific Games 2015 – Port Moresby - The Pacific Games 2015 – Port Moresby|website=www.portmoresby2015.com|access-date=2016-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723050337/http://www.portmoresby2015.com/|archive-date=2015-07-23|url-status=live}}

The opening ceremony took place on 4 July 2015 involving various traditional dances.{{Cite web|url=http://www.portmoresby2015.com/opening-ceremony-to-bring-pngs-history-to-the-present-2/|title=Opening ceremony to bring PNG's history to the present - The Pacific Games 2015 – Port Moresby|website=www.portmoresby2015.com|access-date=2016-03-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165839/http://www.portmoresby2015.com/opening-ceremony-to-bring-pngs-history-to-the-present-2/|archive-date=2016-03-03}} The closing ceremony involved singers such as J Boog, Fiji, O-Shen and George Mamua Telek.{{Cite web|url=http://www.portmoresby2015.com/port-moresby-says-goodbye-to-an-outstanding-pacific-games/|title=Port Moresby says goodbye to an 'outstanding' Pacific Games - The Pacific Games 2015 – Port Moresby|website=www.portmoresby2015.com|access-date=2016-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305104107/http://www.portmoresby2015.com/port-moresby-says-goodbye-to-an-outstanding-pacific-games/|archive-date=2016-03-05|url-status=live}}

• Sir John Guise Stadium is the premier sports venue with a capacity of 15,000. It was completely rebuilt in 2015.
• Amini Park is a cricket ground in Port Moresby.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/India/content/ground/518990.html Amini Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002502/http://www.espncricinfo.com/India/content/ground/518990.html |date=2015-09-24 }} at cricinfo[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Grounds/77/3273.html Amini Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230549/http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Grounds/77/3273.html |date=2015-09-23 }} at CricketArchive The ground is named for the Amini family, several of whom have played cricket for Papua New Guinea (both the men's and women's teams),[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/PNG_A.html Papua New Guinea players (A)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924061259/http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/PNG_A.html |date=2015-09-24 }} at CricketArchive the ground has seen the men's team play Australia, the West Indies and Victoria. The women's team played Japan in a three match series at the ground in September 2006.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Grounds/77/3273_misc.html Other matches played on Amini Park, Port Moresby] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230602/http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Grounds/77/3273_misc.html |date=2015-09-23 }} at CricketArchive
• Lloyd Robson Oval is a sporting ground in Port Moresby and has hosted 3 games for the 1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup. It has been the home ground for the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team since 1975 and the Port Moresby Vipers. It has a total capacity of approximately 17,000.
• National Football Stadium – Papua New Guinea's National Football Stadium, formerly known as Lloyd Robson Oval, is located in Port Moresby and hosted three matches for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The venue (Loyd Robson Oval) was completely redeveloped in 2015 and has an all-seated capacity of 15,000. This was completed in time for the Pacific Games.{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Le Thi |date=2023-08-31 |title=Papua New Guinea National Football Stadium: Uniting Passion for Football in Port Moresby - Stadiums World |url=https://stadiums.world/papua-new-guinea-national-football-stadium-port-moresby/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |language=en-GB}}

The venue has hosted the PNG national side since 1975 and has previously hosted Rugby League World Cup matches in 1986 and 1990. It is also home of the Hunters, the local Papua New Guinea team who play in the Intrust Super Cup which is the Queensland NRL tournament.

The National Football Stadium features a permanent main grandstand with seating for 3,000 including a roof and corporate facilities while temporary stands around the ground boost the seating capacity. There are also lights and a video screen.

• PMRL Stadium is a football stadium in Port Moresby and it is used mainly for football and hosts the home matches of PRK Hekari United of the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League and OFC Champions League. The stadium has a seating capacity of 15,000 spectators.{{Cite web |url=http://www.worldstadiums.com/oceania/countries/papua_new_guinea.shtml |title=Stadium information |access-date=2015-08-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906064445/http://www.worldstadiums.com/oceania/countries/papua_new_guinea.shtml |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=live }}
• Hubert Murray Stadium is a sports venue located in Port Moresby and was developed for the 1969 South Pacific Games on reclaimed land at Konedobu that had previously been shoreline mangroves. The athletics events and the opening and closing ceremonies were held at the new stadium,[https://books.google.com/books?id=Sg1QBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA88 Taim Bipo] which was named after Sir Hubert Murray, a former lieutenant governor.[https://web.archive.org/web/20170731234444/http://www.pngloop.com/2014/08/19/hubert-murray-stadium-work-schedule/ Hubert Murray stadium work on schedule] In 2015–16 it was completely rebuilt as a large-capacity football ground.

The International Education Agency provides private education via six international schools; Korobosea International School, Boroko International School, Ela Murray International School, Gordon International School, Port Moresby International School and IEA TAFE college. There are approximately 300 staff.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ieanet.net/|title=IEANet|website=www.ieanet.net|access-date=2016-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109161049/http://ieanet.net/|archive-date=2016-01-09|url-status=live}}

The Port Moresby International School (POMIS) has been operating since the 1950s. It is an International Education Agency school and is the premier international high school in Port Moresby. It enrolls nearly 1,000 students from Grades 7 to 12.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ieanet.net/web/schools/pomis/POMIS%20Prospectus%202013.pdf|title=Port Moresby International School|last=West|first=Christopher|website=Port Moresby International School|publisher=iea.net|access-date=2016-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130174821/http://www.ieanet.net/web/schools/pomis/POMIS%20Prospectus%202013.pdf|archive-date=2016-01-30|url-status=dead}}

Port Moresby Japanese Language School (ポート・モレスビー補習授業校 Pōto Moresubī Hoshū Jugyō Kō) was a supplementary Japanese school in the city."[http://web.archive.org/web/20020213173710/http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/clarinet/hocea.html 大洋州の補習授業校一覧]" (). MEXT. February 13, 2002. Retrieved on April 7, 2015. "ポートモレスビー Port Moresby Japanese Language School c/o Embassy of Japan P.O. Box 1040 Port Moresby P.N.G." It closed in August 2009."[http://jsdqatar.com/link.html 関係機関へのリンク]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150216133558/http://jsdqatar.com/link.html Archive]). The Japan School of Doha. Retrieved on March 31, 2015. "ポート・モレスビー補習授業校（2009年8月休校）" and "（ニューメキシコ）アルバカーキ補習授業校（休校）" and "（プエルトリコ）プエルトリコ補習授業校（2006年3月閉校）"

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Oceania}}

Port Moresby is twinned with:

• {{flagicon|CHN}} Jinan, China{{cite web|title=Sister Cities|url=http://english.jinan.gov.cn/art/2018/12/18/art_29566_2754518.html|website=jinan.gov.cn|publisher=Jinan|access-date=2020-07-20|archive-date=6 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606193657/http://english.jinan.gov.cn/art/2018/12/18/art_29566_2754518.html|url-status=dead}}
• {{flagicon|FJI}} Suva, Fiji{{cite web |title=Sister Cities|url=http://suvacity.org/sister-cities/|website=suvacity.org|publisher=Suva|access-date=2020-07-20}}
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Townsville, Australia{{cite web |title=Direct Service To Benefit PNG And Queensland|url=https://postcourier.com.pg/direct-service-to-benefit-png-and-queensland/|website=postcourier.com.pg|publisher=Post Courier|date=2017-04-03|access-date=2020-07-20}}

{{Portal|New Guinea}}

• Naval Base Port Moresby
• Port Moresby Airfield Complex

{{Reflist}}

{{notelist}}

• James, Paul. et al., [http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/p-8630-9780824836405.aspx Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Development]: Other Paths for Papua New Guinea (2012)
• [http://libraries.ucsd.edu/speccoll/findingaids/mss0139.html Hugh Norwood Port Moresby Research Materials] MSS 139. [http://libraries.ucsd.edu/collections/sca/ Special Collections & Archives], UC San Diego Library.

• [https://www.ncdc.gov.pg/ Official Port Moresby−National Capital District website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323052701/https://www.ncdc.gov.pg/ |date=23 March 2023 }}
• {{wikivoyage-inline|Port Moresby}}

{{Commons category|position=left}}

{{PNG Provincial Capitals}}

{{Provinces of Papua New Guinea}}

{{List of Oceanian capitals by region}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places in Southern Region (Papua New Guinea)

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Category:Capitals in Oceania

Category:Capital districts and territories

Category:Provincial capitals in Papua New Guinea

Category:Gulf of Papua

Category:Southern Region, Papua New Guinea

Category:Port cities in Oceania

Category:Ports and harbours of Papua New Guinea

Category:Populated places established in 1873

Category:1873 establishments in Oceania