Astrid Mitchell
Editor

Thursday, April 2, 2026

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Banknotes

Papua New Guinea Marks 35-Year Polymer Milestone

The Bank of Papua New Guinea presenting framed uncut sheets of the newly released 100 kina banknote to Prime Minister James Marape and Lady Stella Chan, pictured here (centre) with Note Printing Australia CEO Malcolm McDowell on the left, and Governor of the Bank, Elizabeth Genia, on the right.

The Bank of Papua New Guinea presenting framed uncut sheets of the newly released 100 kina banknote to Prime Minister James Marape and Lady Stella Chan, pictured here (centre) with Note Printing Australia CEO Malcolm McDowell on the left, and Governor of the Bank, Elizabeth Genia, on the right.

35 years ago, in 1991, Papua New Guinea (PNG) introduced its first polymer banknote – the 2 kina. This made it the first country after Australia to adopt the then new technology, and helped begin a period of change in currency across the Pacific region.