[2] Papurana novaeguineae is the smallest Papurana species in New Guinea: males reach maturity below 36 mm (1.4 in) and females below 43 mm (1.7 in) in snout–vent length;[3] these lengths have also been interpreted as the maximum sizes.

[4] Although it could be mixed with juveniles of other species, P. novaeguineae is easy to distinguish from its relatives because it has reduced webbing between the toes: the fourth toe has the last two phalanges free of webbing (one free phalanx or none in other species).

[3] The male advertisement call is a short series of pulsed notes with a "ringing" quality.

[3] Papurana novaeguineae occurs in tropical flooded savannas and foothill rainforests at elevations up to 500 m (1,600 ft) above sea level.

Breeding takes place in permanent swamps and temporary grassy flooded ditches.