A blooming good show: The National Orchid and Flower Show returns to Port Moresby
Theresa Patterson checks out the National Orchid and Flower Show in Port Moresby, a beautiful way to celebrate Papua New Guinea’s Independence Day.
The National Orchid and Flower Show in Port Moresby showcased plants from PNG and overseas. Credit: Ranjith Ravikumar
There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Papua New Guinea’s independence every September. There are cultural dance shows, live music, food markets, city parades, festivals and special hotel brunches. In 2026 (as well as 2025), there was also the National Orchid and Flower Show, a two-day spectacular held on September 12 and 13 at the National Parliament that brought together florists from around PNG to exhibit their blooms.
One of those florists was The PNG Gardener & Flower Shop, a well-known name in the landscaping, gardening and floristry space.
It was a brilliant fusion of culture, design and national pride, making it a show for everyone
“We featured orchids from both the lowlands and highlands of PNG, reflecting the incredible diversity of our own backyard, alongside plants and orchids sourced from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China and several other Pacific nations,” says the shop’s Ranjith Ravikumar.
“We wanted to showcase the incredible flora of PNG alongside flowers and plants from other countries, giving visitors a chance to see how our local varieties compare and connect with the wider world of horticulture.”
The National Orchid and Flower Show in Port Moresby showcased plants from PNG and overseas. Credit: Ranjith Ravikumar
The verdict, according to the thousands who descended upon Waigani for the show, was that PNG’s roughly 3000 species of orchids more than hold their own on the world stage.
Rare orchids such as the purple Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) were encased in specially designed boxes while others were sculpted into massive birds of paradise. Fresh blooms ringed traditional masks while others were stitched into traditional attires and natural-fibre hats. It was a brilliant fusion of culture, design and national pride, making it a show for everyone, whether a curious spectator, hobbyist, tourist, national patriot, industry insider, flower-seller or dedicated collector.
Entry into the show was free, with the exhibition running from 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, in line with Parliament’s visiting hours, allowing plenty of natural light for the displays. While the show, held at the Sir Rabbie L. Namaliu Orchid Gardens, only ran for two days, an enormous amount of preparation weeks beforehand went into making it a success.
“The setup alone took nearly three weeks to complete,” says Ravikumar. “A significant number of plants and flowers were flown in from overseas specifically for this show, and every single piece was arranged with real care and an eye for aesthetics.”
Given the public demand at both shows so far, the goal now is to make future shows bigger and better, with more exhibitors and flower-sellers from other provinces joining in and sharing their wares. There is a lot of potential, says Ravikumar, for it to become a “true destination event for PNG, one that puts our horticulture, our growers and our culture firmly on the map for visitors and tourists.”
Orchids, and other flowers, can be purchased throughout the year from The PNG Gardener (pnggardener.com.pg) outlets at Waterfront or Palm Cove, Waigani Drive.
This article was first published in the November 2026 – January 2027 issue of Paradise, the in-flight magazine of Air Niugini.
