PNG’S WAN KANTRI DOCUMENTARY WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

Wan Kantri: The Next 50 Years, Papua New Guinea’s Independence celebration documentary, has won a major international award, recognising storytelling that celebrates culture, resilience and national pride.

The film, co-produced by Papua New Guinea’s National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), received a Special Award at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting T4P (Together for the Planet, People and Peace) Media Awards, held in Paro, Bhutan on June 17, 2026.

Produced for Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence celebrations, the documentary highlights PNG’s past, present and future while showcasing the value of the long-standing partnership between the NBC and ABC.

Through the project, media professionals from both countries worked together to share PNG stories with audiences across the region.

For NBC Senior Producer and Presenter Ms Maureen Orea, helping tell Papua New Guinea’s story through Wan Kantri: The Next 50 Years was an opportunity to honour her country while strengthening her skills through collaboration with Australian media professionals.

“This project allowed us to see things beyond our own borders. We learned from each other, respected each other’s skills, and understood what everyone brought to the table,” Ms Orea said.

“When we work together, we build skills, strengthen relationships, and help the next generation tell their own stories.”
The award is a proud achievement for the teams behind the production, including ABC Australia, NBC and the Media Development Initiative (MDI), which is funded through the PNG–Australia Partnership and implemented
by ABC International Development.

Australia is proud to support initiatives that strengthenmedia capability, deepen people-to-people links, and help Papua New Guineans tell their own stories in their own voices. Wan Kantri: The Next 50 Years demonstrates the
power of partnership in sharing PNG’s stories with the world.