Professional experience

A record of law, leadership and practical reform

Dr. Kwa’s work in public institutions, universities, legal practice, development partnerships, church and community organisations.

Career & assignments

Experience behind the consultancy

This record presents Dr. Kwa’s individual professional experience through March 2025. Earlier appointments and assignments belong to his career and are distinct from projects delivered by Kwa Consulting.

Public and institutional responsibilities

Leadership, boards and community service

National offices and justice-sector leadership

Secretary, Constitutional and Law Reform Commission · 2011–2018.
Attorney General of Papua New Guinea and member of the National Executive Council · 2020–2022.
Secretary, Department of Justice and Attorney General · appointed 2018.
Chair, Social Law and Order Sector Heads (SLOS).
Chair, National Coordination Mechanism for the PNG Law and Justice Sector.
Chair, Immigration and Citizenship Authority Board · appointment recorded from 2021.
Chair, National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Committee.
Chair, National Anti-Human Trafficking Committee.
Chair, Parole Board of Papua New Guinea.
Chair, National Oceans Committee and Marine Scientific Research Committee.
Deputy Chair, Provincial and Local Government Services Monitoring Authority (PLSMA).
Chair, Narcotics Board · 2019–2022.
Chair, Legislative Working Group, Government of PNG · 2010–2011.

Higher education, environmental and institutional leadership

Chancellor and Governing Council Chair, Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea · appointments recorded from 2022.
Council leadership, Lutheran Institute of Higher Learning / Lutheran School of Nursing.
Chair and Acting Chair, Jubilee Institute of Higher Education Council · 2017; Deputy Chair · 2013–2017.
Chair, Siassi Foundation Inc · 2009–2020.
Chair, Papua Development Corporation Ltd Board · 2009–2013.
Chair, PNG Locally Managed Marine Areas Inc Board.
Secretary and board service, Mama Graun conservation trust fund.
Leader, Programme 7 (Biodiversity Law and Policy), Papua New Guinea Institute of Biodiversity · 2006–2010.
Board member, WiStem Inc · 2017.
Chair, Sunny Bunny Kindergarten Board · 2007–2013.

National boards, councils and advisory committees

Member, Central Agencies Coordinating Committee.
Member, National Security Advisory Committee.
Member, National Gaming Board.
Member, National Health Board.
Member, Citizenship Advisory Committee.
Member, Divine Word University Council · 2022–2024.
Member, Papua New Guinea Institute of Biological Research Board · 2010–2015.
Member, UPNG Council · 2000–2001 and 2010–2011.
Member, UPNG Higher Degrees Committee · 2008–2011.
Member, UPNG Staffing and Planning Committees · 2000–2001.
Member, Legal Training Institute Council · 2000–2001.
Member, National Monitoring Authority · 2000–2001.
Member, National Steering Committee for GEF Small Grants · 2008–2010.
Member, Technical Advisory Board, Office of Climate Change and Environment Sustainability · 2009–2010.
Member, Judges’ Bench Book Working Committee, National and Supreme Courts · 2007–2008.
Member, MDG 7 Steering Committee · 2007.
Member, Energy Technical Working Group for the Government’s MDG 7 Task Force · 2006–2007.

Editorial and legal professional service

Chair, Attorney General’s Law Journal Editorial Board.
Assistant Editor, Papua New Guinea Law Reports · 1997–2002 and 2005.
Member, Melanesian Law Journal Board · 1998–2006.
Examiner, Foreign Lawyers Examination, PNG Law Society · 1998–2011.
Member, Publications Committee for the Access to Laws Project · 2000–2001.

Church, community and voluntary service

Third Chairman of Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea · 2010–2022.
Pro bono legal adviser, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea · service recorded from 2008.
Member, ELCPNG Constitution Committee.
Chair, ELCPNG Papua District Constitution Committee · 2007–2013.
Chair, ELCPNG Papua District Development Corporation · 2008–2013.
Constitutional adviser, ELCPNG Papua District · 2000–2001; pro bono legal services · 2007–2012.
Founding director, board member and Deputy Chair, Femili PNG.
Longstanding patron, UPNG Lutheran Students Congregation.
Patron, UPNG Morobe Students Union · 2000.
Life member and National Chaplain, Gideons International (PNG); earlier Port Moresby Camp membership, Secretary in 1998 and Vice President in 2000–2001.
Life member, Christian Professionals Network · recorded from 2022.
Judge, Digicel Foundation Man of Honour Competition · 2016–2021.
Board and committee service, Barakau village health services.
Legal adviser, Barakau United Church · 1999–2006.
Founding member, Lutheran Laypersons Heritage of PNG Inc · 1994–2001.
Member, Campus Crusade for Christ (Family Life) · 1999–2006.
Support for Aimalu Parish, the UPNG Lutheran Students Congregation, Campus Crusade for Christ and Gideons International.
Education sponsorship, Siassi Lutheran High School · 2008–2012.
Contributor and Bible a Month Club participant, New Zealand Bible Society · 2003–2005.
Member, Auckland University Postgraduate Association · 2001–2003.
Memberships in the Royal Papua New Guinea Yacht Club (2013–2024) and Aviat Club (2023–2024).

Academic & legal experience

Teaching, practice and examining

University of Papua New Guinea

Joined as a tutor in 1991; taught in the School of Law from 1995 to 2011; appointed Associate Professor in 2009.

Deputy Dean (Academic), Law Faculty · 1997–1999.
Head of Law Department · 2000 and 2006–2007.
Acting Dean · 2000; Executive Dean, School of Law and Business Studies · 2001.
Chair, Law School Postgraduate Committee · 2008–2011.
Director / Acting Director, UPNG Human Rights Centre.

Subjects taught

Constitutional Law · Environmental Law · International Law · Natural Resources Law · Criminal Law · Intellectual Property Law · Provincial and Local Government Law · Law of Evidence · Law and Development.

Visiting teaching

Environmental Science and Geography, UPNG School of Natural and Physical Sciences · 2007–2011. Ocean resources management, environmental governance and biodiversity conservation.
Visiting guest lecturer, Texas Tech University, United States · August 2005.

Legal practice

Practice under Anthony Regan’s UPC · 1995–1997.
Associate, Mawa Lawyers · 1997–2000.

External thesis examining

Examined PhD thesis of PhD student from the Law School of the University of Papua New Guinea (2023)
Examined PhD thesis (Natural Resources Law) of a PhD student from the James Cook University (2009)
Examined PhD thesis (Environmental Law) of a PhD student from the Macquarie University Law School (2006)
Examined Masters thesis (Environmental Law) of a LLM student from the University of the South Pacific Law Faculty (2006)

Applied professional work

Consultancy assignments

The following 52 entries describe advisory, drafting, review, facilitation and publication assignments across Dr. Kwa’s earlier career.

Policy, institutions, women’s participation and reform · 20 entries

Oct-Dec 2016 Consultant – UNFPA (Developed NCW Administrative Structure and HR Policy Manual)
June 2015 Consultant – Solomon Islands Government (Provision of legal advice on constitutional issues)
May-June 2011 Consultant – Coalition for Change (Drafting of Family Protection (Domestic Violence) Bill)
June 2011 Consultant – PNGSDP (Drafting of Local Environmental Law for Kiwai and Oriomo Bituri LLGs for Barramundi Habitat Conservation)
July-Dec 2010 Consultant (one of two consultants) – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Formulated the PNG National Foreign Policy)
Jun-July 2010 Consultant (Member of International Review Team) - UNDP (Review of United Nations Program in PNG Delivering as One)
Jun-Dec 2010 Consultant (Member of Land Audit Team) – Motu Koita Assembly (Audit of all Customary owned Land in the city of Port Moresby)
Mar-June 2010 Consultant (Member of International Team) – Department of Health (Development of Health SWAP)
Jan-Dec 2010 Legal Consultant – PNG National Cultural Commission (Developed the PNG national Legal Framework for Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture (TKEC))
Feb-Nov 2010 Legal Consultant – PM & NEC Department (Review and reform of the Provincial Government System in PNG)
Dec 2009-Mar 2010 Team Leader (Legal Team) – Department for Community Development and UNDP (Formulation of Legal and Policy Instruments for Women’s Reserve Seats in PNG Parliament)
Dec 2009-Mar 2010 Member – Independent Review Team (of the Development Cooperation Treaty between Australia and PNG)
November 2009 Lead Facilitator – Department of Petroleum and Energy (Facilitator of Benefit Sharing Agreement between the State and Gobe landowners for PNG LNG Project)
June –Sept 2009 Lead Consultant (Legal Team) – National Strategic Plan Task Force (Development of the Papua New Guinea Vision 2050)
March-July 2009 Legal Consultant – Pacific Islands Forum (Developing a Policy Framework on Traditional Knowledge – assistance to the PNG National Cultural Commission)
May- August 2009 Legal Consultant – Office of Higher Education (Review of Higher Education Act and the drafting of a new Higher Education Bill)
2006 onwards (recorded through March 2025) Legal Advisor – Motu Koita Assembly (Provision of legal advice to the MKA)
June 2009 Legal Consultant – Conservation International (Review of Local Environment Policy and Law for Milne Bay Province)
June 2009 Legal Consultant – CELCOR (Training of Lawyers in Legislative Drafting)
March-May 2009 Team Leader – Legal Team- Department for Community Development/UNDP (Advice on Nominated Seats for Women)

Environmental law, conservation and legal frameworks · 15 entries

Sept-Oct 2008 Legal Consultant – Centre for Environmental Law Ltd (Review of the Draft Organic Law on the Independent Commission Against Corruption)
Mar-May 2008 Legal Consultant – Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (Provide legal advice to the Commission on Mine Tailings in mining operations in PNG)
Jan-March 2008 Legal Consultant – CELCOR/WWF (Conducted a review on the national oceans and fisheries policy)
Nov 2007-July 2008 Legal Consultant – National Council of Women and the Department for Community Development (Reviewed the National Council of Women Act and drafted the new National Council of Women Bill 2008)
Oct 2007-Oct 2008 Legal Consultant – Department of Justice and Attorney General (Drafted the new Community Courts Bill 2008 to replace the Village Courts Act)
July-September 2007 Legal Consultant – The Nature Conservancy/National Forest Authority/ITTO (Review the linkage between forestry resource utilization and forest conservation in PNG and potential impacts on REDD)
May-June 2007 Legal Consultant – WWF (Reviewed the Legal framework for the Implementation of the Watercourse Treaty in PNG)
Dec 2006 - April 2007 Legal Consultant - Papua New Guinea Institute of Biodiversity (PINBio) (Developing the National ABS Policy and Legal frameworks)
Dec 2006 onwards (recorded through March 2025) Legal Consultant – Motu Koita Council (Drafted the Motu Koita Assembly Act 2007 establishing a government for the strengthening and empowerment of the indigenous people of Port Moresby City)
Oct 2006-Jan 2007 Legal Consultant – The Nature Conservancy (Drafted the Community Environment and Conservation Law for the Nali Sopat Penabu Local-level Government, Manus Province)
July-September 2006 Legal Consultant – The Nature Conservancy (Developing the Legal Framework for Marine Protected Areas in Papua New Guinea)
May 2006 Legal Consultant – NZAid (Reviewed the legal framework establishing the Bris Kanda Project funded by NZAid)
Dec 2005-Oct 2006 Team Leader of Consultants to the Papua New Guinea Institute of Biodiversity (Developed the National Regulatory Framework on ABS)
July -December 2005 Legal Consultant – PNG Department of Environment and Conservation (Developed the Draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for PNG to fulfill PNG’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD))
April –June 2005 Legal Consultant – PNG Department of Environment and Conservation (Completed the draft National Biosafety Framework for PNG under the UNEP/GEF Project on Development of a National Biosafety Framework for PNG)

Community law, legal information and foundational work · 17 entries

November 2004 Legal Consultant – PNG Department of Environment and Conservation (Developed the Draft National Biosafety and Biotechnology Bill for the UNEP/GEF Project on Development of a National Biosafety Framework for PNG)
August 2004 Legal Consultant – PNG Department of Environment and Conservation (Developed the Draft National Biosafety Policy for the UNEP/GEF Project on Development of a National Biosafety Framework for PNG)
July 2004 Legal Consultant – The Nature Conservancy (Developed and formulated the Local-level Government Marine Environmental Law for the Talasea Local-level Government in the West New Britain Province. This work involved wide community and stakeholders’ participation)
March 2004 Legal Consultant – Papua New Guinea Institute of Biodiversity (PINBio) (Conducted a review on Papua New Guinea’s Biodiversity Policy and Law for PINBio)
October 2003 Legal Consultant - PNG Department of Environment and Conservation (Conducted Legislative Review on Biosafety in PNG for the UNEP/GEF Project on Development of a National Biosafety Framework for PNG)
March - Oct 2003 Legal Consultant - TNC (Legislative review on developing community based environmental law for the management of marine and natural resources for the Talasea Local-level Government)
June–July 2002 · Environmental Law Consultant, The Nature Conservancy — developed a local-level government environmental law for Almami, Madang Province, with community and stakeholder participation.
April–August 2002 · Legal Consultant, Government of PNG / UNDP World Summit on Sustainable Development team — contributed to the PNG country report for the Johannesburg summit.
February–June 2001 · PNG Team Leader, AusAID Access to Laws Project — managed the project through its completion.
2001 · Legal Adviser, Umboi Timber Investment Ltd — ad hoc pro bono legal advice to the Siassi landowner company.
June 2001 Legal advice – TNC (PNG) (Provided legal advice to the TNC on natural resources and environmental management in local communities)
May 2000 · Constitutional legal advice, Constitutional Development Commission — short-term advice on constitutional matters.
April 2000 · Legal opinion, Consumer Affairs Council — advice on consumer rights law and policy.
January–March 2000 · Legal Consultant, Central Provincial Government — constitutional advice to the Governor and Cabinet.
1999–2001 · Author and joint editor, Thomson Legal & Regulatory Group Ltd, Australia — book projects including Constitutional Law of Papua New Guinea, Natural Resources Law of Papua New Guinea and Twenty Years of the Papua New Guinea Constitution.
1999–2000 · Academic team leader, Attorney General’s Department / UPNG School of Law — preparation of The Development of Administrative Law in Papua New Guinea, published in 2000.
1995–1996 · Environmental and Natural Resources Law Consultant, Constitutional Review Commission — advice on environmental and natural resources law.

Regional & international engagement

Representation and observer service

Led PNG’s delegation to the United Nations Oceans Conference, Lisbon · June 2022.
Worked with Hon. Pila Niningi in leading PNG’s legal team at the International Court of Justice · December 2024.
Represented PNG and the Pacific at the UN workshop on national implementation of the Rio Declaration, New York · January 1999.
Commonwealth observer service for elections in Nigeria (2019), Sierra Leone (2017) and Ghana (2016).

Browse conference contributions →

Professional development & recognition

Training, scholarships and milestones

Holistic Approach to Biosafety capacity-building course, Tromsø University, Norway (GenØk / TWN / UNEP) · July–August 2006.
Teaching Environmental Law at the University Level capacity-building course, National University of Singapore · June–July 1998.
NZAid scholarship for doctoral study in Environmental Law at the University of Auckland · 2001–2005.
John Crawford Scholarship · 1993–1994; Gressitt Scholarship, Wau Ecology Institute · 1994.
PNG Government scholarship for undergraduate law study · 1988–1991.
First runner-up, Auckland University Postgraduate Poster Competition · 2003.
PNG Lions Youth of the Year and Aiyura school leadership, service, history and public-speaking awards · 1987.
University of Wollongong Alumni Award for Professional Excellence finalist · 2024.
Scholla Kakas Award for services to women.
Baimbuk (Paramount Chief) recognition in Aimalu Parish (2006) and Samanai Parish (2024).

Discuss a new assignment

Contact Kwa Consulting about the question, scope, deliverables and timing of a potential engagement.

Make an enquiry →