Why oil palm?
Drive out of Kimbe in almost any direction and you pass rows of oil palm. Plantations cover about 90,000 hectares of the province, and companies such as New Britain Palm Oil and Hargy Oil Palms have worked here since the 1960s, growing palm on land made available with local support. For generations, many families have depended on the fruit for their income.
The industry also changed who lives here. Workers and smallholders came from across Papua New Guinea, so the province now holds Highlands and Islands cultures side by side. The festival was created to celebrate that relationship, and the many cultures it brought together.
Two festivals so far
- June 2025 · KaporeThe first Oil Palm Festival of Arts & Culture ended on Friday 27 June 2025 at Kapore. Festival chairman Danny Nanua thanked New Britain Palm Oil Limited and Hargy Oil Palm for their support, and speakers praised the industry as an economic engine for the province.
- June 2026 · Hoskins StationThe second festival ran over three days at the Sir John Maneke stadium at Hoskins Station, about 40 minutes' drive from Kimbe. Around 1,000 visitors came. The theme was "Celebrating Oil Palm, Culture & Sustainable Livelihood".
What you will see
According to David Mundawi of the West New Britain Provincial Administration, the event's ex-officio director, the programme brings together traditional dances from all over Papua New Guinea, mask dances from the different peoples of West New Britain, and contemporary string bands.
The province's mask traditions are some of the richest in the country. Our barkcloth chapter lists other festivals worth planning around: the Maola Ulu Mask Festival on Bali-Vitu, Balala in East Nakanai, Bakovi at Talasea and Aulu Nakamutmut at Gloucester.
A correction. Some write-ups place this festival "every year in Kimbe" with "40+ groups" and Duk-Duk dancers. The two editions so far were at Kapore (2025) and Hoskins Station (2026), we found no published count of groups, and the Duk-Duk is a Tolai tradition of East New Britain, not of this province.
Going next time
Business Advantage PNG reported in August 2026 that the next festival is scheduled for June 2027. Kimbe Expedition Tours offers packages that combine the festival with Air Niugini flights, accommodation, snorkelling and dolphin-watching, and Liamo Reef Resort also runs tours. Dates and venue can change from year to year, so confirm with the Provincial Administration or a local operator before you book.
Flights from Port Moresby reach Hoskins in about an hour and a quarter; see Getting there.
Questions and answers
When is the Oil Palm Festival in West New Britain?
Both editions so far were held in June: at Kapore in 2025 and at Hoskins Station in 2026. The next is scheduled for June 2027; confirm dates before travelling.
Where is the Oil Palm Festival held?
The 2026 festival was at the Sir John Maneke stadium at Hoskins Station, about 40 minutes' drive from Kimbe. The first, in 2025, was at Kapore.
What happens at the festival?
Traditional dances from across Papua New Guinea, mask dances from the peoples of West New Britain, and contemporary string bands.
Is the Duk-Duk performed at the Oil Palm Festival?
The Duk-Duk belongs to the Tolai people of East New Britain. We found no published source placing it at this festival.
