RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL

FORMER PAPUA NEW GUINEA PRIME MINISTER Sir Michael Somare has succeeded in extending an order to stop the speaker from continuing to remove and destroy artefacts at parliament.

Sir Michael had gone to court on the last day of 2013 and successfully obtained interim restraining orders until the matter is fully argued in court.

It has been extended to 17 January and prevents the speaker, Theodore Zurenuoc, and others from taking away cultural property including artefacts, art works, adornments and totem poles.

The speaker's actions attracted much criticism both from members of parliament, the media and the public