The internationally acclaimed photographer Stephen Dupont claims the Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea to be his "true and fearsome friend".

For more than a decade he's been taking portraits in the country's hinterland where tribal traditions thrive and outsiders have barely encroached.

But his work has also focused on the crime and poverty that has gripped urban areas where gangs of so-called Raskols have made PNG's cities some of the world's most dangerous.

Recently, Harvard University's Peabody Museum published Dupont's diaries and portraits, showcasing his years of work documenting the impact of globalisation on a traditional Melanesian society.

The New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully is in Papua New Guinea for a visit focused on fostering business links and support for renewable energy projects.

Mr McCully says PNG is one of the fastest growing economies in the region, and the visit will include a small New Zealand business delegation.

He will be meeting with the PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and a range of senior ministers, including consultations with the Foreign Minister.

Mr McCully says he will be promoting the capability and expertise of New Zealand companies and looking at the work carried out by the New Zealand aid programme.

The transport networks serving Papua New Guinea (PNG) are set to receive a $1bn overhaul as the country moves to install the infrastructure needed for the next phase of its economic development.

The billion-dollar funding, which was allocated to the Department of Works (DoW) in the 2014 budget, will finance a broad range of projects. Highways and upgrades of urban centres will be prioritised, together with infrastructure to support planned strategic hubs and improve connectivity. The government is looking to develop Port Moresby for business ventures, while Lae and Mt Hagen will be expanded to accommodate industry and mining initiatives, respectively.

On the move

A rapid rise in the number of cars and trucks has highlighted the road infrastructure gap. Annual sales of vehicles from registered garages rose by 72% between 2009 and 2012 to reach 10,503 units, the PNG Motor Traders Association told OBG. Moreover, this figure could well under-estimate the number of additional vehicles on the road, as it does not include undocumented private sales and a growing number of imported second-hand cars.

The vast majority of transactions were for commercial vehicles, which at 25,352 units accounted for 77% of overall sales between 2009 and 2012, followed by light trucks (10%), heavy duty trucks (7%) and passenger vehicles (6%). Growth over the three-year period was most rapid in heavy duty trucks (147%) and passenger cars (77%), although from a smaller base than commercial vehicles.

About a quarter of sales were in PNG’s second city of Lae, located at the start of the 700-km Highlands Highway. The country’s primary roadway, the Highlands Highway links Lae to Mt Hagen and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations and is proving to be a major challenge for drivers. Despite the priority tag, remedial work on the roadway will take several years to complete.

P&O Cruises will increase the number of voyages to the area to eight in early April, while Noble Caledonia is another cruise company that visits the country, with an expedition cruise from Port Moresby, the capital of PNG, to Guam on MS Caledonia Sky. The boat features purpose-built Zodiacs, which can land on otherwise inaccessible beaches and lagoons

An official reconciliation ceremony has taken place in Port Moresby between PNG's Prime Minister and the President of the Autonomous Government of Bougainville.

Last year a highly public spat over the effectiveness of Bougainville programs funded by national money strained relations.

Amid traditional music and costumes, the leaders of Papua New Guinea and of the Autonomous Government of Bougainville put on a public show of making up.

PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill wore strings of traditional Bougainvillean shell money around his neck, as he atoned for the past.

"Yes we have made many mistakes in the past and we will continue to make mistakes in the future," he said.

"But it must not deprive the rights of our people on Bougainville so that they too can be entitled to better services, they too can enjoy the development and growth that the rest of Papua New Guinea's enjoying."

By his side stood John Momis, the president of the Autonomous Government of Bougainville.