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Buvussi Primary School in Kimbe, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea (Asian Development Bank)

Tok Pisin: Speaking PNG’s main language is more than cultural courtesy

From NRL teams to university exchanges, shared language holds the key to Australia's Pacific relationship success.

Bernard Yegiora

12 August 20254 min read

If Australia wants to be seen as part of the Pacific family and not merely as a regional partner, it must do more than increase its development assistance or elevate diplomatic rhetoric. A crucial step is to invest in the most fundamental currency of people-to-people engagement: language. In this, Sheridan Ward’s article in The Interpreter last week calling for Australia to embrace multilingualism by learning a Pacific language is timely.

Tok Pisin, spoken by millions in PNG, offers Australia an entry point to deepen regional integration, support evolving migration dynamics, and facilitate economic and educational diplomacy. PNG is among the world’s most linguistically diverse nations, but Tok Pisin has a special currency. Tok Pisin is more than a language; it is a tool for advancing Australia’s interests in the Pacific.

Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa scheme, launched in 2024, has already signalled a shift in Canberra’s thinking about long-term regional engagement. Under this program, 3,000 visas are allocated annually to Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals, with PNG receiving 1350 of these places – more than any other country. Over the next decade, this could see close to 13,500 skilled Papua New Guineans migrate to Australia. With Tok Pisin widely spoken among this group, language acquisition becomes essential for effective community engagement, social cohesion, and mitigating integration challenges.

Spoken across cities and villages alike, Tok Pisin connects people beyond PNG’s 800 local languages.

However, for Papua New Guineans, migration is not merely an economic decision. PNG society is underpinned by deep social and cultural obligations. The land, the clan, and the extended family form the bedrock of personal identity and communal responsibility. Migrants do not easily abandon their responsibilities to the village or their obligations to participate in cultural practices such as bride price ceremonies or land disputes, which often require physical presence and material support. It is common for urban Papua New Guineans to travel back to their home provinces during festive seasons or for major community events. As such, the idea of permanent relocation is often met with hesitation, and Australia should anticipate hosting a migrant community with strong transnational ties. Learning Tok Pisin is not just about helping migrants integrate into Australian society – it is also about respecting and understanding the cultural context they come from.

For Australian business in PNG, Tok Pisin is more than cultural courtesy – it’s a commercial asset (Asian Development Bank)

Beyond migration, higher education represents another critical area where Tok Pisin proficiency can advance Australia’s regional engagement goals. PNG’s higher education sector is undergoing a period of rapid transformation. New universities are being established – Western Pacific University in the Southern Highlands, Innovative University in Enga, and the transition of the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance into a university – while existing institutions such as the University of PNG and the PNG University of Technology are expanding their international partnerships. Australia has been a key partner in this evolution, supporting infrastructure development, faculty exchanges, and scholarship programs.

As these institutions grow in quality and reputation, PNG is poised to attract more foreign students, including Australians participating in the New Colombo Plan. Australian students speaking Tok Pisin will be better positioned to immerse themselves in the local environment, travel beyond the urban centres, and build enduring relationships with their PNG peers. Moreover, as Australian universities increase their collaboration with PNG institutions, administrative and academic exchanges will benefit from a shared language.

Perhaps the most high-profile example of emerging economic integration between Australia and PNG is the proposed inclusion of a PNG-based NRL team by 2028. Rugby league is not just a sport in PNG but a national passion. Australia’s investment in establishing a professional NRL team in Port Moresby reflects a long-term commitment to PNG’s economic and social development.

Yet, the success of this venture will depend on more than just stadiums and players. Effective communication between coaches, support staff, local players and fans will be vital. Tok Pisin proficiency among Australian team members and administrators will enhance not only performance but also community engagement. Business dealings, contract negotiations, and grassroots promotions will all benefit from the shared understanding that language provides.

For Australian business in PNG, Tok Pisin is more than cultural courtesy – it’s a commercial asset. Spoken across cities and villages alike, it connects people beyond PNG’s 800 local languages. It helps build trust, smooth negotiations, and avoid costly misunderstandings. In sectors from construction to agricultures, retail to services, Tok Pisin proficiency can accelerate deals, strengthen partnerships, and open doors to lasting opportunities.

There are also domestic benefits to this linguistic investment. Australians who learn Tok Pisin will find it easier to engage with PNG nationals in Australia, from migrants to visiting students and businesspeople. It will foster mutual respect, reduce cultural misunderstandings, and contribute to a more inclusive and regionally aware Australian society.

About the author

Bernard Yegiora

Bernard Yegiora is a lecturer at Divine Word University.

Topics

Australia Pacific Islands Papua New Guinea