Tapa

Vanuatu’s Biosecurity negotiated the breakthrough with New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries with assistance from the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Programme.

The agreement means that Phytosanitary Certificates confirming the absence of live insects are no longer required for items smaller than two metres.

It is an impressive 25m ngatu (painted tapa) titled ‘The Avenue’.

The artwork is part of their Ko e Hala Hangatonu (The Straight Path) series and will be exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia.

The impressive ngatu honours traditional Tongan design while incorporating contemporary themes.