Bill Gates spends PNG’s 50th Independence in New Ireland

Jet ski's on the shore of Tunnung Island, in the New Hanover group of islands, celebrating Independence Day on Tuesday (Image: Supplied)

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s most influential philanthropists, celebrated Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence anniversary in New Ireland Province.

Mr Gates reportedly flew into the province on Monday on board a PNG third-level airline, accompanied by a staff member and two friends. Insiders from the National Airports Corporation confirmed the arrival of the aircraft after midday.

A New Ireland business insider, who wished to remain anonymous, told NBC News in Kavieng that after arriving in Kavieng, Mr Gates took a two-hour ride on a double-engine speedboat to a secluded island in the New Hanover group. His personal yacht was anchored off the island, where he spent the last three days.

The philanthropist is believed to be on a Pacific tour that began in Guam, then Palau, before coming to PNG. From here, he is expected to continue to Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Western Samoa, Hawaii, and finally to the mainland United States.

It was described as a trip of relaxation for the billionaire.

Tourists on Tunnung Island a few days before the arrival of the Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates (Image: Supplied)

The island Gates visited has also hosted Hollywood stars and other billionaires looking for a peaceful getaway. Tom Cruise is said to have visited the same island some years ago, sailing in on his yacht “Suri,” named after his daughter.

While Gates does not have direct business ties to PNG, he showed interest in the country’s carbon credits during the 26th Conference of Parties [COP26] in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021.