Goroka

Goroka is situated in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea and has a wonderful climate. Warm days and cooler nights.

Goroka, a small outpost station in the 1950's has developed into an attractive, well organised town with modern facilities and relaxed atmosphere. It is a major Highlands commercial centre and is at an altitude of 1600 metres.

Today Goroka has become known for its annual show, held every August. It is a marvellous opportunity to gain an overview of PNG cultural diversity. The shows were first held in the 50's as a means of gathering together the different tribes and clans. At times there could be more than 40,000 painted warriors dancing to the beat of the Kundu drums.

Goroka and the Asaro Valley

Typical of scenery in Goroka.

Picking Coffee Beans

Benabena Dancers at the Goroka Show

"Mudmen" performing at the Goroka Showgrounds.

Asaro mud men can be found approx. 30 minutes drive outside of Goroka.

If visiting Goroka, the mud men show is one not to be missed.

Goroka Coffee - dont leave PNG without some !

Goroka is renowned for growing beautiful fresh vegetables. If staying in Goroka, include a visit to the market.

If you are thinking of somewhere to stay and money is no object, why not book into the 'Bird of Paradise' Hotel:

Eastern highlands Investment and Tourism Promotion Authority contact numbers:

Telephone: (+675) 732 3366
Fax: (+675) 732 3365

or write to:

P.O. Box 984,
GOROKA. EHP

There are a number of shows held throughout the year, including the Goroka Show which is held in September.

Home of Pacific Helicopters who have their head office based in Goroka:

Chicken cage made out of bamboo:

An Asaro man at the Goroka Show:

Typical Highlands River:

Highlands Grass Hut:

Typical Grass Hut in the Highlands of PNG where it can get very cold at night:

Preparing a meal or as they say here in PNG: kai kai taim

Coffee growing in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea:

Coffee growing:

Goroka Coffee,
Story by Shirin Moayyad
Photographs from Angco Ltd
Paradise Magazine Jan - Feb, 1995

Washed coffee beans are dried in the sun. Raw green coffee beans ready for export.

Goroka Coffee

Legendary in the South Pacific region nas the foremost producer of high quality arabica coffee, Papua New AGuinea, although only a small producer by world standards, has developed an international reputation for quality coffee.

PNG's top estate grown coffees are equal to the finest in the world and growers can be justifiably proud of this high level of achievement.

Smallholder coffee grown in the mountainous interior of the country accounts for 70 per cent of PNG coffee exports, and is keenly sought after by major coffee roasters for its quality and flavour:

Coffee beans ready for harvest are red 'cherries'; and the Highlands crop is all hand picked:

Goroka Coffee

Some growing areas are certified for organic coffee production. this means that no chemicals, such as synthetic fertilisers or sprays, are used during any phase of production. This process results in a flawless, flavour-packed coffee giving the consumer the added comfort that no chemicals have been used. Although only a small sub-niche market, the demand for 'natural' food and beverage products is growing steadily and PNG is well placed to meet the market in organically certified coffee:

Goroka Coffee:

PNG has had the benefit of over 40 years's experience in commercial coffee cultivation to develop the finest blends available in the South Pacific. Experimental plantings were first undertaken by German missionaries before World War II, appropriately enough since today over 40 per cent of PNG's raw - green bean - coffee is exported to Germany. Most major German brands use PNG coffee in their blends:

"Goroka's finest coffee ready for export"

Goroka Coffee

In the early 1950's, coffee first took off as a significant cash crop with pioneer plantations in the Asaro Valley outside Goroka. Today, most of PNG's coffee is produced in the Western Highlands Province, with the Eastern Highlands running a close second and Chimbu third:

"Coffee beans ready for harvest are red 'cherries".

Goroka Coffee:

PNG coffee is hand - picked, pulped and fermented: a cleaning process that washes away the sugary outer coating found on the outside of the two coffee beans that lie in each cherry. Because care is taken in washing off this mucilage, PNG coffee is classified amongst the higher quality so-called 'washed arabicas'.

"Revolving drums and flowing water separate ripe beans from the red husk".

Goroka Coffee:

While the buld of PNG's coffee has historically been exported to Europe in the green bean form, tere has been a trend in recent years to roast and grind coffee locally - a trend which has made the PNG domestic market self-sufficient and accounts for about one per cent of PNG's total coffee production.

The pioneers in roasting domestically were Goroka Coffee Roasters, a small plant that quickly established its reputation as a quality producer after its establishment in 1965. Starting with one small roaster, the plant now has the capacity to produce several hundred tonnes of roasted coffee a year. With eight full-time employees, the factory is poised to launch into new export markets.

"Goroka Coffee's distinctive packets are readied for market".

Goroka Coffee:

Domestically, most hotels and supermarkets carry the established brand, Goroka Coffee, in its distinctive blue pack, featuring a Highlands warrior's head on the label. The organic label, Paradise Gold, is equally distinctive in a forest green and gold packet displaying a paradisea monor bird of paradies on the front.

As an alternative to rainforest felling, primary agricultural products are very important in sustaining the livelihood of the grass roots villagers. Coffee is the single most important crop to the Highlanders and for many, their only source of cash income.

Most recently a new brand has been designed and produced as a private label for the country's flagship air carrier, Air Niugini. Bearing the stylised bird of paradise in Air Niugini's colours, this attractive white coffee pouch is labelled Air Niugini Blend and is distributed through the airline's in-flight duty free shop, and as a complimentary present to business class travellers.

Plantation workers weigh the day's harvest at the pickup trailer: Insert - Grinding and blending ensures the best taste:

Goroka Coffee:

Always supportive of domestic industries, Air Niugini has combined the consumers' known preference for PNG coffee with its own practice of displaying and promoting PNG products.

Exports are sold mainly to PNG's Pacific neighbours, Australia and New Zealand. In 1993, the PNG Government lodged a rural support scheme to lure gorwers back into producing tropical fruit crops. Under this cheme, exporters are given bounty payments for every kilogram exported.

Early 1994, saw increases in world coffee prices of more than 100 ;per cent over the previous year, thus ending a seven-year slump in coffee prices that affected the smallholder farmer most dramatically. As world prices increased, so the PNG Government bounty decreased, eventually being eliminated in July, 1994.

"Green coffee beans before roasting"

Goroka Coffee;

When world prices increase sufficiently, growers in turn will be required to pay a levy back to the PNG Coffee Industry Corporation to repay Government loans to the industry and hedge against leaner times in the future.

The turnaround in world coffee prices, was cuased by shortages in Colombia due to crop infestation, frost in Brazil and war in Rwanda and Burundi.

Despite the setbacks of previous price slumps, Goroka coffee has retained its hgih quality over the years. Hand-picked from village and plantation trees, the best quality coffee is laid out to dry in the radiant Highlands sun. From tehre it is brought in by light aircraft or trucked over mountainous roads to Gorka where it is blended and roasted into the finished product.

The coffee is vacuum packed, giving it an extended shelf life of 18 months, and is shipped to its various destinations.

"Warehoused sacks contain thousands of pots of best quality coffee"

Goroka Airport - Feb'02

Goroka Airport - Feb'02:

Goroka Airport - Feb '02:

Goroka Airstrip - Feb'02:

Sir Akepa Miakwe with his son Benais Akepa and family relatives, Goroka - February, 2002.

Picture taken by Robert Akepa inside the Goroka Airport Terminal:

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Goroka, the most popular place is the "Bird of Paradise Hotel" situated right in the heart of the town:

Pictured here relaxing in the hotel lounge is 'Sir Akepa Miakwe':

Accommodation - Goroka - Bird of Paradise Reception Desk:

Accommodation in Goroka - Bird of Paradise:

Bird of Paradise Artifact Shop:

Goroka - Feb'02 - Meri's selling their Highlands Hats:

More colourful bilums (bags) and hats:

Alternative accommodation if you are looking for something cheaper;

Mendikwae Lodge - Phone 732 3466:

Haus Sik (Hospital) - Goroka - Feb'02:

Haus Sik (Hospital) Goroka - Feb'02:

Goroka Kai Kai (Food) Market Feb'02 where you can buy beautiful fresh vegetables all year round:

Another picture of Goroka Market Feb'02:

Goroka Market Area February, 2002:

Happy Villagers - Goroka ' February, 2002:

Entrance way for a village Football Grand Final:

Benais Sabumei and the football team "Sigo Hawks" pictured before the Grand Final, February, 2002:

Picture taken by Robert Akepa:

Benais Sabumei pictured here with the Ufi PanthersFebruary, 2002:

"Sigo Hawks" A1 Grade footy team - one would assume sponsored by Ela Motors- Goroka, '02:

Let the Game begin:

Footy field, anxious crowd gather to support their wantoks:

Ladies (meri's) selling 'Pandaus Nuts':

Cheerleaders PNG Style at the Footy Final:

From Goroka on the road to Kainantu is the village of Bena Bena, a centre for weaving. The men operate the hand looms, weaving pleasantly coarse rugs, bedspreads and place mats.

Typical Grass Hut in Bena Bena, Goroka - Feb'02:

Bena Bena, February'02:

Meri (lady) heading for work in the garden:

Working the Garden:

Bena Bena Landscape Scene, Feb'02 taken by Robert Akepa:

Pregnant Goat - Bena Bena Village:

Another Goat pic:

Downturn Goroka - service station etc:

Raun Raun Theatre where cultural activities are held. If you look closely you will note that the roof is shaped like a snake and the outer buildings are the body of the snake:

"Sigoya Village Road"

Closer pic of the village:

"Safa Village Community School"

Mt. Garagu, Safa Village:

Preparing food for guests:

"Snake Entertainer" at the footy final.

Note also in the background the drummer, leading in the footballers:

"Village Band" entertainment prior to the football final:

Looking toward "Monivi Village"

New Tribes Mission

The Grounds of the New Tribes Mission, Goroka, Feb'02:

New Tribes Mission, Goroka, Feb'02:

New Tribes Mission Worker:

Looking towards "Garasagu Village"

Pandaus Nut Sellers:

Village Mumu after the footy is finished:

Villagers gambling while waiting for the kai kai (food) to cook:

Lapun (old man) - Goroka, 2002:

Happy Villagers:

Kai Kai taim:

Great excitement - kai kai taim:

Nambawan (No.1) kai kai:

Family Gathering (Wantoks):

Women Gambling:

Happy Gathering:

Village Road:

Wantoks waiting for PMV (Bus):

Riding in a PMV:

Checking a Bush Bridge before driving over it:

Bena Bena SDA School:

Adventist Church, Bena Bena School:

Village Scene:

Waiting for a PMV (Bus):

Market Seller:

Back in Goroka - "Winners are Grinners", Handing out the Prize Money from the Footy Game:

Village Road:

Teaching a Goat to Feed:

"Sigoya Village, Bena Bena:

Resting after a hard days work:

Selling food at the market:

Gimiseve Woikoi, traditional healer of Godonova village, near Goroka, treats a patient with back pain:

Mother and Child await their turn with the medicine man, Godonova Village, near Goroka:

Cassia alata is used widely to cure fungal infections of the skin:

Meri's (Women of Godonova village, near Goroka:

Godonova village women (Meri's) near Goroka:

Walkway:

Happy Villagers - Goroka ' February, 2002:
I used to know this meri and her family ... I was nice to the little girl one time and the family elder brought my wife and I some kai kai as a gift. I am home in Canada now your forum makes me homesick.