The name Kina is derived from Kuanua language of the Tolai region, referring to a callable pearl shell used widely for trading in both the Coastal and Highlands areas of the country.

[citation needed] The kina has been a historically stable currency; the economy has never experienced exorbitant rates of monetary inflation.

The kina remained stable until 1995, when the country started experiencing double-digit annual rates of inflation, causing its value to drop gradually.

The 1 kina is round and holed in the centre, this denomination was reduced in size starting from 2006, and the larger coin was demonetised from 31 December 2008.

[5] On 19 April 1975, notes were introduced for 2, 5 and 10 kina that replaced the Australian dollar at par, so the colour scheme was the same.

Beginning in 1991, Papua New Guinea's banknotes have been produced on polymer, although in 2009 the bank issued Kina & Toea Day commemorative notes on paper substrates.