Papua New Guinea and New Zealand recently marked a milestone in their 50-year diplomatic and cultural relationship, as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Peter Zwart, presented a Manu Aute Māori kite to Prime Minister Hon. James Marape. The presentation, held on 20 November at Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby, commemorates both PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary and the half-century of formal ties between the two Pacific nations. The ceremony drew senior government officials, New Zealand High Commission staff, and community representatives who traveled from New Zealand for the occasion.
In his address, High Commissioner Zwart highlighted the deep cultural and geographical connections between the two nations. He described PNG and New Zealand as “Pacific twins,” sharing mountain ranges shaped by the Pacific Ring of Fire, rich forests and birdlife, strong tribal identities, and centuries of navigation and exploration. Zwart said the enduring bond between the countries goes beyond diplomacy, rooted instead in shared heritage, culture, and history.
Prime Minister Marape expressed his gratitude for the gift, describing it as deeply meaningful to PNG’s identity as a Pacific nation. He emphasised that the presentation was more than ceremonial; it symbolised shared stories, mutual respect, and continuity for the peoples of the Pacific, who have lived and voyaged across these islands for thousands of years. Drawing connections between the Manu Aute’s intricate tapa designs and PNG’s own tapa traditions from Oro Province, he highlighted the artistic and cultural synergy as a reflection of the authenticity and depth of PNG–New Zealand relations. Using a traditional Huli metaphor, he said, “A bird does not fly to an unknown destination — it sits on another tree. Today, the bird from your tree has come to ours.”
The leaders affirmed that the presentation marks the beginning of a more ambitious chapter in bilateral relations. Future cooperation will focus on expanding trade and economic collaboration, strengthening cultural and educational exchanges, promoting climate resilience, and deepening regional partnerships across the Pacific. The Manu Aute kite will be displayed at Melanesian Haus, near Parliament and the Courts, as a lasting symbol of the partnership woven into PNG’s national story.
The Manu Aute itself embodies a powerful symbolism. Crafted by master Māori weavers, the kite is inspired by Te Amokura, the red-tailed tropic bird common in PNG and considered an auspicious sign in New Zealand, and Toroa, the wandering albatross, a bird renowned for its long voyages across the Pacific. The kite represents connection, aspiration, and interwoven Pacific identity. High Commissioner Zwart said, “The Manu Aute catches the wind and soars. May it lift our imagination and ambition for what the next 50 years of partnership can become.”
Accompanying the kite were two mauri stones, representing spiritual grounding and shared custodianship. The Pounamu (greenstone) mauri stone was gifted to Prime Minister Marape, symbolising leadership, respect, and the life force within the land and people. The obsidian mauri stone was retained by the New Zealand High Commission, acknowledging the ancient Pacific trade links between East New Britain and Aotearoa. In Māori culture, mauri refers to the essence or life force present in all things, and mauri stones carry and protect that energy. Together, they symbolise unity, trust, continuity, and the enduring connection between past, present, and future generations.
By presenting the Manu Aute and the mauri stones, New Zealand and PNG not only celebrated their shared history but also set a vision for the next 50 years. The gift represents both aspiration — soaring into the future — and grounding — staying rooted in shared heritage, a poignant reminder of the strong cultural and diplomatic bonds that continue to unite these two Pacific nations.