The country of New Guinea occupies half of the second largest island in the world after Greenland (called New Guinea). The other half is occupied by Indonesia. It also consists of other smaller islands. The country achieved independence from Australia in 1975.

At the end of the 19^th century, the north of the island was under German control and used German stamps. After 1914 when it fell under Australian rule, some of the remaining German stamps were overprinted and Australia supplied stamps for the country. After 1953 Papua and New Guinea united and issued their own stamps which continued after independence in 1975.