Tok Pisin celebration strengthens cultural connections for our PNG community

Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wik – Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week is being celebrated across Aotearoa New Zealand this week, acknowledging the language, culture and heritage of one of the Pacific’s most culturally diverse nations.

Now in its third year, the week-long celebration from 6–12 September 2026 carries the theme “Lukautim, strongim na kirapim tokples na pasin blo tubuna” – Preserve, revitalise and promote our language and culture.

Pacific Centre at Mt Albert Campus hosted a special celebration on Wednesday 9 September, bringing together our PNG ākonga ‘learners’ to share kai, stories and knowledge.

A highlight was a presentation from Bachelor of Engineering Technology student and Manaaki Scholar Emmanuel Simon, one of three students from Papua New Guinea currently studying at Mt Albert and Waitākere Campuses.

Emmanuel attended the celebration with his wife, Gloria and son, Zealan, proudly sharing stories about his homeland, culture and language.

Mr Simon has also played an active role in previous PNG Tok Pisin Language Week celebrations, participating in flag-raising ceremonies in 2024 and 2025.

Engineering and Manaaki Scholarship student Emmanuel Simon gives a presentation of his homeland, culture and language.

For the celebration, Emmanuel brought along traditional colourful, handwoven bilum string bags, with the distinctive bags representing different provinces of his homeland.

“As a Papua New Guinean student, this week is very important to me because language is a significant part of my identity, culture and connection to home.

“Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries in the world and having a dedicated week here in New Zealand gives us an opportunity to proudly share who we are while also educating and connecting with the wider community.”

This week is more than just speaking the language. Cultural celebrations provide an important connection to home for students living and studying away from their families and communities.

“Celebrations like this create a real sense of belonging and remind us that our language and culture are valued within our diverse community.”

That sense of connection was also recognised by Director – Pacific Success, MIT and Unitec, Doana Fatuleai, who thanked Emmanuel for sharing his knowledge and experiences with the group.

“You’re always connected to Aotearoa, and also to your colleagues here. I just want to thank you again for your time – I’ve learned so much,” Doana says.

Director – Pacific Success, Doana Fatuleai and Taharangi – Director Māori Success, Vivienne Merito respond to the presentation by student Emmanuel Simon.

Emmanuel’s bilum bags also sparked memories for Taharangi Director Māori Success Vivienne Merito, who lived in Papua New Guinea during her youth and recalled seeing the bags being made in Suri, a village in the province of Madang.

The moment reflected the many connections that exist between PNG, Aotearoa and the wider Pacific – connections built through history, migration, education, culture and shared indigenous traditions.

Emmanuel is also actively involved in the wider expat community and has attended several Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week events across Auckland this week.

Keeping Tok Pisin and PNG culture alive is particularly important for younger generations growing up in Aotearoa.

“For me personally, it is about passing our language, stories, values and identity to the next generation, particularly our children who are growing up here,” Mr Simon says.

Educational institutions have an important role to play in creating spaces where Pacific learners can celebrate and share their identities.

“I’m grateful that educational institutions such as ours and the wider community provide space for Pacific students to celebrate and share their languages and cultures.

“It makes us feel recognised, included and proud to contribute our own identity to the multicultural community here in Aotearoa. Tenkyu tru, and Happy PNG Tok Pisin Language Week!”

Sharing kai after the presentation on PNG Language Week at the Pacific Centre

Quick facts

· The number of Papua New Guineans in New Zealand is relatively small at around 1,290 (Stats NZ, 2023 Census).

· Papua New Guinea is the biggest and most populated Pacific Island country with just over 11 million people.

· Located 150 km north of Australia, PNG is 462,840 square kilometres in size (more than twice the size of Aotearoa), including over 600 smaller islands. The

terrain is dominated by high mountains, deep valleys, and dense tropical rainforests.

· PNG has over 800 different cultures and languages — making it one of the most diverse countries in the world. The three official languages are: Tok Pisin, English and Hiri Motu.

· New Zealand and Papua New Guinea have been close partners for a long time. We established diplomatic relations in 1975, when Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia.

· Papua New Guinea is also the only Pacific Island country that connects the Pacific and Southeast Asia. It shares a land border with Indonesia.

Find out more Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week