The 70th Goroka Show has concluded successfully after three days of celebration, attracting more than 600 international tourists and maintaining its status as the oldest and biggest cultural show in the Pacific.
Held from 18th to 20th September 2026 at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, the milestone show was officially declared closed yesterday by Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Belden Namah.
This year’s event coincided with Papua New Guinea’s 51st Independence Anniversary, adding extra significance.
More than 100 cultural groups from the seven Highlands provinces and other parts of PNG showcased the nation’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Minister Namah said Eastern Highlands is blessed to be the only province hosting three national cultural institutions the National Performing Arts Troupe, Raun Raun Theatre, J.K. McCarthy Museum and the Regional Centre of the National Museum and Art Gallery.
He announced the National Government, through the National Cultural Commission, provided K500,000 to support this year’s show and confirmed similar support will continue for Goroka and other major regional shows including Enga, Mt Hagen, Morobe and the National Mask Festival.
Minister Namah commended Goroka Show Council Chairlady Keryn Hargrave for introducing the Pikinini Cultural Show on the first day of the event.
“This is the way forward. We need to pass our culture down to the next generation to preserve it for generations to come,” he said.He said mini cultural shows across Eastern Highlands districts from Henganofi to Kainantu, Lufa to Okapa, Daulo to Obura-Wonenara and Unggai-Bena are being funded by the Ministry through the NCC and PNG Tourism Promotion Authority as lead-up events to the Goroka Show.
“The Goroka Show is not just a show. It is our biggest standalone tourism product in the country. No other country on earth has over 1,000 tribes and over 800 languages. This is our gold mine,” Minister Namah said.
NCC Chief Executive Officer Steven Kilanda thanked the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government, Governor Simon Sia, the Provincial Administration, security forces, the show committee and all cultural groups for ensuring a peaceful and successful show.
The event concluded with a call for stronger partnership between the Provincial Government and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to strengthen cultural institutions and develop culture as a sustainable tourism product.
