7. Guide and Porter Registration with the Authority:

• The Kokoda Track communities want first preference employment of guides and porters to be given to Kokoda Track young and medically fit Koiari men.

To assist in achieving this request, the Authority proposes that all guides and porters register with the Authority. Details of their name,…[Read more]

6. Regulation and Improvement of Radio Communications: The present radio communication network for the Kokoda Track villages was established by the National Cultural Commission. The Australian High Commission has funded and installed some 20 solar or mains powered VHF Base Stations and upgraded Mt Fala Repeater Station. The Pangtel licence for…[Read more]

5. Tour Operators to Advise the Authority of their Trekking Program: To assist with the co-ordination of trekking groups over the Kokoda Track and to ensure that Guest House accommodation is not stretched to the limit, Tour Operators will be requested to supply the Authority with their Trekking Program and number of trekkers and porters so that…[Read more]

4. Registration of Tour Operators with the Authority:It is recommended that all Tour Operators, who presently send or plan to send individuals or groups on treks of the Kokoda Track, register with the Authority. A form will be supplied requesting details of the Tour Operator organization, contact person, address, phone, fax, email, website, etc.…[Read more]

3. Trek Permit Fees: Trek Permit fees set in 2001 and continuing to date have been K100.00 per international trekker or non-citizen in PNG whilst citizen trekkers have been K50.00 and students 50% of the normal rate. There is no charge for residents of the Kokoda Track area.At all meetings the trek fee amount was discussed and all recommended…[Read more]

f) Other Matters in Relation to The Constitution were mainly of standard administrative nature and not necessary to be discussed. Copies of the Fourth Draft of the Constitution were left with Ward Councillors for their reference and discussion if any matters arose.

e) Finance for the Authority per part IV of the Constitution was briefly discussed with the main income source being estimated through Trek Permit Fees and Donor Agency grants for infrastructure projects. It was proposed that application be made to Northern and Central Provincial Governments through the Koiari and Kokoda LLGs for grants for the…[Read more]

d) Staff of the Authority per clause 20 of the Constitution was discussed in that the only employee at the present being the interim manager for the three months interim period for conduct of the awareness patrol, fine-tuning of the Constitution and establishment of administrative and accounting systems. Once the Minister has approved the full…[Read more]

c) The Functions of the Authority per clause 15 of the Constitution were discussed in each ward meeting and appeared to be understood and well accepted.There was some concern expressed that some donor agencies who supply materials and labour expertise (e.g. Rotary International) may not wish to pay project funds to KTA, but prefer to utilize the…[Read more]

B) The Management Committee as per clause 4 of the Constitution was discussed in each ward meeting and concern was voiced both on the Koiari side and the Kokoda side on insufficient representation of landowners, particularly in relation to the Koiari grasslands people from Girinumu to Vesilogo to Depo; and with the Kokoda people from the Lower…[Read more]

2. Proclamation and Constitution: a) The Area of Authority per clause 2 of the Constitution was discussed in each ward meeting and the villages in the wards prioritized for benefits from the Authority due to their proximity to the track as follows:Koiari Rural Local-level GovernmentWard 5 (DEPO) comprising the villages of Depo (Mageri),…[Read more]

BUSINESS PER AGENDA:1. Open Meetings: All awareness meetings were opened and closed with prayer as was grace offered with all meals. A brief address was given by the Chairman introducing the Awareness Team members, and the reason and procedures for establishing the Kokoda Track Authority. This was further expanded on by the Interim Manager in…[Read more]

The Actual Awareness Program:Wed 26 May: Fly to Kokoda on Air PNG. Brief talks with Kokoda leaders and community members pending meeting with LLG, which was deferred till Thurs morn. Visited Kokoda memorial sites and museum, police station, district office and Kokoda Memorial Hospital. Accom: David Soru Guest HouseThu 27 May: Meeting with…[Read more]

The Awareness Team: Interim Management Committee Members: Alfred Amuli – Kokoda LLG rep (Chairman)

• Norris James – Koiari LLG rep – (V/Chairman)
• David Soru – Kokoda LLG landowner rep
• Garry Imiri – Koiari LLG landowner rep
• Alex Rama – Alternate Tour Operator rep (Naduli)
• Warren Bartlett Interim Manager(ex-officio member)

Local Level Government…[Read more]

Our sub contractor Russell Eroro (Kokoda Trekking Ltd) headed back to Kokoda on Wednesday to prepare for the arrival of the Aussie High Commission Federal Police trekkers and other friends who head out this coming Sunday.Was talking to Richard Terry earlier this week and it seems they too are all getting excited about their upcoming adventure.Some…[Read more]

The presentation of the Efogi workshop was presented by the members of foundation and also village councillors, Alfred Amuli and Gary Imri who were instrumental in bringing together village people and especially landowner participation in the workshop. It was the first meeting ever of village elders and landowners since the WWI and was also a…[Read more]

Facilitators of the workshop, Paul Chatterton with the World Wide Fund in Madang and Dr Stephen Wearing, a full time lecturer at the Sydney?s University of Technology raised several important points on what can be achieved through sustainable tourism and pointed out ways to achieved and also highlighted common problems or hindrances to achieving…[Read more]

In doing so, the seminar sough to provide feedback to landowners on their vision for sustainable tourism and secure support from interest groups based outside the Kokoda Track.Chairman of the Kokoda Track Foundation, Charlie Lynn said the purpose of the series of meetings was to develop self sustaining tourist activities and at the same time…[Read more]

Hi there. Our trekking company have tried three or four different brands and we have had the best luck with Caribee Brand. We have used them extensively and so far have not had any problems whatsoever.Another brand name only made one trek and is now damaged and has to go back for repair.Try and get the biggest pack you can purchase and that you…[Read more]

Hello Patrick, here with me at the moment is a guest house owner from Isurava who is waiting in Port Moresby for trekkers to arrive to take them on the Kokoda Trail.His name is Kingsley Boropi and if he is not trekking at that particular time, please make yourself known to him as he would love to meet up with you all.