2023 Hiri Moale Festival

The atmosphere on the final day of the 49 Hiri Moale Festival was lively, as people from different Motu Koitabu villages gathered at the Sir Hubert Murray stadium to support the eight contestants competing for the Hiri Hanenamo crown.

The Hanenamos delivered their last traditional performances before the judges made their final decisions. Over 5,000 people packed the grandstand and gave a standing ovation to the eight young women who showcased their cultures and traditions.

ExxonMobil PNG Ltd, the operator of the PNG LNG Project, has stepped up again as the proud Gold sponsor of the 49th Hiri Moale Festival with K150,000. This contribution demonstrates EMPNG's respect for the four Motu Koita villages neighboring the LNG Plant site outside Port Moresby.

EMPNG's Chairman and Managing Director, Peter Larden, said the festival is a significant event for the communities of Boera, Papa, Lealea, and Porebada, as well as the people of Gulf Province whom they traded with.

This is the first sponsorship launch towards the festival and is the third time BSP has come on board as sponsors. The presentation today had BSP handover a cheque of K30, 000 to assist with the festival.

Corporate Sponsorship Manager, Amelia Minoppu, stated that BSP is pleased to join another year round since 2021.

“As you all know culture and tradition plays a big role in our communities and in the Pacific and the values of the communities we operate in. It’s through events like the Hiri Moale festival that our bran identifies the people that we work with,” she stated.