29 Jul 2023

New approach for Bougainville independence

From , 6:00 am on 29 July 2023
Voter's finger gets inked during polling for Bougainville's independence referendum

Voter's finger gets inked during polling for Bougainville's independence referendum Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

It is approaching four years since Bougainville held a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea but little progress seems to have been made since.

That non-binding referendum was 97.7 percent in favour of independence.

For a number of reasons consultations have faltered.

Professor Anthony Regan from the Australian National University told RNZ Pacific's Don Wiseman that a change in approach is needed to re-ignite the process.