The Papua New Guinea-based firm, which specialises in music, video, television, theatrical and cultural events, was selected from a shortlist of four by the Organising Committee through "a competitive process".

Leading the Makoda team will be executive producer Merryn Hughes, who has worked on numerous Olympic and international sporting Ceremonies, including Vancouver 2010 and the New Zealand 2011 Rugby World Cup, and co-artistic director Nigel Jamieson, who worked on the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and the Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

"We are delighted to have Makoda come on board," Port Moresby 2015 chair Emma Waiwai said.

"As an internationally recognised company with very talented Papua New Guineans who specialise in various aspects of the creative arts industry, we expect the Opening and Closing Ceremonies to be the biggest sporting spectacle and look forward to working with Makoda to ensure these important events are memorable, setting a benchmark for the Pacific Games.

"The 2015 Pacific Games will be on a scale never before seen in the country and these two important Ceremonies of the Games looks set to capture the hearts of all Papua New Guineans and the region, who will be watching the Games live on television.

"The Opening and Closing Ceremonies are expected to be a captivating blend of traditional, contemporary and international flavours."

Merryn Hughes, Nigel Jamieson, Tania Nugent and Airileke Ingram will all be working on the Port Moresby 2015 Opening and Closing Ceremonies ©PNG2015 Pacific Games



Makoda, whose core team also includes international renowned television producer Tania Nugent and Wantok Musik Foundation co-founder Airileke Ingram, has already been searching Papua New Guinea for talent for inclusion in the Ceremonies, which included a visit to the recent Mount Hagen Show.

"The cultural richness of Papua New Guinea is totally unique and spectacular," Hughes said.

"Our job is to determine how to reflect this in the Ceremony in a way that will do justice to the cultural richness of not only Papua New Guinea, but will also reflect the heritage of our Pacific neighbours.

"It's a challenge that we are so excited and honoured to have been chosen to undertake."

The Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies are due to take place on July 4 and 18 respectively.

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