Port Moresby - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Many people employ Haus meris, but we didn't. - May 2019
Housekeepers, or "Haus Meris," cost about 50 kina (about US$17) a day. Most of these amazing women live without water, electricity or non-dirt floors, and they risk their safety and well being to commute to work. While it is common to complain about the quality of work (and I am certainly guilty of this), I try to keep in mind how much they overcome, and I am happy to help the local economy. Many haus meris also watch children, but there are nannies as well, who are referred to as "pickininni meris". The nannies will keep your children alive and well fed. Don't expect western-style nannies. - Jun 2016
Readily available and around $200 a month, expat rates, Monday to Friday 7:30 to 4pm. If you have had help in other countries, you may find PNG helpers are less capable cleaners, cannot cook, and are reluctant to start early or stay late because of security issues in transport. Very few live in (and few houses have space for live-ins). PNGers are very warm with kids. - Jun 2008
