Trukai renews Vanagi Race Sponsorship for 50th Hiri Moale Festival

Trukai Industries under its Trukai brand has renewed its sponsorship of the Vanagi Race, one of the main events at the Hiri Moale Festival.  

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Hiri Moale Festival and Trukai Industries’ third year of sponsoring the Vanagi Race. This support is in cash and kind and positions Trukai Industries as the naming rights sponsor. This support will also cover the preparation and prize money for this event.

Trukai Industries Marketing Manager Maryanne Tom said, “The Hiri Moale Festival has been an avenue for the celebration of cultural practices of the Motu Koitabu people in which Port Moresby, our capital city is built on.”

“At Trukai we strive to support community activities that preserve cultural practices and traditions as Trukai’s rich history is also embedded in PNG’s culture,” reiterated Tom.

Last year 60 canoes participated in the Vanagi Race with the category A winner being G2 while the category winner was Duk.

This year the number of participating canoes has increased to 70 and consolation prizes will be given to all participants with the total prize money valued at more than K27, 000 which is a component of the total sponsorship.   

The preparation of the Hiri Moale Festival is going well with safety and security a focus for the committee. It will feature traditional singsing groups, the reenactment of the arrival of the Lagatoi and the Hiri Hanenamo.

The three-day festival will display the best of Motu Koitabu culture from 22 – 24 March 2024 in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby. It has been the main attraction in the city for many years drawing both international tourists and city residents.

The Trukai Vanagi Race will take place on Saturday 23 March 2024.