PNG Independence celebration, brings Pacific community together in Hamilton
The small Papua New Guinea (PNG) community in Aotearoa, celebrated the 49th Independence Day in Hamilton last month, bringing the Pacific community together.
PNG Independence Day, falls on September 16. This year, the celebration was held a few days later, on Saturday, September 21 at the Chapel Hill Community Church in Rototuna.
Papua New Guinea is the world’s second largest island and has the uniqueness of 851 indigenous languages.
The Independence Day commemoration was attended by chief guest, His Excellency Mr Sakias Tameo, Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to New Zealand.
Members of the Pacific communities in Hamilton, as well as representatives of the PNG community from all parts of Aotearoa also attended.
His Excellency Mr Sakias Tameo said, he would like to acknowledge “the community leaders who’ve gone ahead to organize this event”.
He said he has never seen any country celebrating independence in such an impressive fashion, “this is to show that Papua New Guineans love their country, they are proud to be an independent country”.
His Excellency said that there is always talk about independence; political independence and economic independence, but it is important to understand the importance of independence.
“Independence gives you your identity as a country in the national community, not only to Papua New Guineas, but also to other countries”
He said Papua New Guineas should be proud that “we have the most diverse linguistic culture on this planet, which we were able to hold on to together, as a country, for the last 49 years”.
President of the PNG Waikato Student Association (PNGWSA) Ukau’u Kathryn Omae said that it is very important for the young PNG generation in New Zealand to participate in this type of event.
She said this is how “we remember that we’re an independent nation, that also brings us closer to our culture, participating in dances, being around those that know more of the culture, and language”.
Omae thanked the PNGWSA, who supported organising the celebration, and those that gave a hand in funding the event.
Other Pacific communities in Hamilton joined in the event with Tongan community, Fiji and Solomon Islands participating in dancing with Papua New Guinea students.
The PNG 50th Independence Day in Aotearoa next year, will be held down in Wellington.
Population of the Papua New Guineas in New Zealand is approximately 1,131 according to the 2018 census.
