Halo Olgeta. It's Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wik 7-13 Sep, 2025, and we would like to feature two leaders in the greater Wellington Papua New Guinea Community who have been a source of inspiration, creativity, and wisdom for Aotearoa-based Wantok Melanesians for nearly 25 years.
Their uncles were behind the arranged marriage, a custom that was not imposed but was well considered. In the depths of winter, Nancy arrived in Aotearoa in 2004, and together they have four children, Elsie (currently studying Law at Canterbury), Indira (pictured second from left), Felicity, and the youngest Edgar.
Edgar is named after Keith Edgar Anderson, a Kiwi who was the Chief Ombudsman in Papua New Guinea in the early 1980s. Keith was a mentor who opened doors and provided opportunities for students, like Jack, who now has a highly successful career in engineering and construction. A graduate of the PNG University of Technology in Lae and then the University of Canterbury, Jack has been based at Whitireia WelTec Te Pūkenga for over twenty (20) years.
A respected and knowledgeable elder, Jack has been President of the Wellington Papua New Guinea community, and has himself gone on to mentor other Papua New Guineaans, including artist musician Tali Enjalas Jenkinson aka Vallē.
The 2025 theme for the Ministry of Pacific People’s Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week is 'Lukautim, strongim na kirapim tokples na pasin blo tubuna - Preserve, revitalise and promote our language and culture'.
Check out the Wellington Papua New Guinea Community and Pātaka FB pages and website for the week’s events:
Including.
Sun 7 Sep, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Bilum String Bag Weaving Workshop
Join the PNG community and guest Mama MARTHA DULUME, who will share the beautiful art of bilum weaving.
Sun 7 Sep – Thu 11 Sep, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tok Pisin Classes
The Tok Pisin Classes Team will once again share the Tok Pisin language through five lessons. Come along to learn and have some fun!
Sat 13 Sep, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Papua New Guinea Wellington Community Performances
Come along for an hour of culture! PNG dancers, songs, poems, and a bilas fashion show! Brought to you by the Papua New Guinea Wellington Community.
Image Caption for Felicity Kepakali – wearing the bilas of her mother’s home in Tari, including a headdress crafted from bird of paradise, cassowary, and cockatoo feathers, Felicity’s dress is woven completely from woolen string, and features the flag of Papua New Guinea. The necklace is a kina shell, currency cut in a crescent shape from the polished shells of the yellow-lipped clam. Pātaka acknowledges with sincere gratitude Felicity’s notations in the preparation of this week's activities. Tankiyu tumas 😊
