BY ESWIN PLESIO
FOR the first time since its establishment, the Miss Bird of Paradise Papua New Guinea national crowning will be held outside Port Moresby, with Western Highlands Province preparing to welcome contestants from across the country later this year.
The national pageant will run from November 22 to December 3 in Mount Hagen, where at least 14 provincial queens are expected to compete while showcasing their cultures, tourism attractions and leadership abilities.
Miss Bird of Paradise PNG Chairlady Ana Bais said taking the national crowning to the provinces is part of the organisation’s vision to share the economic and tourism benefits of the event with local communities.
“The crowning is now pushed to the provinces. It is about local tourism boost. It is about getting some of these exciting events that happen in Port Moresby out to the provinces,” Mrs. Bais said during a media conference today.
She said Western Highlands earned the right to host this year’s event after its representative won the 2025 Miss Bird of Paradise PNG title and later represented the country with distinction at the regional pageant in Fiji.
Mrs. Bais said the organisation wants every winning province to become the next host, giving communities across Papua New Guinea the opportunity to promote their culture, tourism potential and local businesses.
“Whoever wins in Mount Hagen in December, her province will host next year’s pageant. We want provinces to tell their own stories, showcase their culture and bring opportunities to their own people,” she said.
She emphasised that Miss Bird of Paradise PNG is more than a beauty pageant, describing it as a leadership development program that equips young women to become ambassadors for culture, tourism and community service.
The pageant is also expected to create opportunities for local designers, performers, artisans, photographers, caterers and other small businesses as preparations get underway in Mount Hagen.
The pageant week will feature cultural displays, community activities, tourism promotions, a peace march and the national crowning, as Western Highlands prepares to host
one of Papua New Guinea’s biggest celebrations of young women, culture and leadership.