Celebrating the deep cultural connections between Australia and our Pacific partners

 

A vibrant program of cultural collaborations, performances and exchanges across the Pacific region

Thousands celebrate contemporary Pacific culture at the Brisbane Festival

Sing Sing Blong Wan Solwara – Music Exchange, Solomon Islands

Fiji Flying Circus Australian Tour

Asia TOPA Dance Festival exchange with Dance Fest Fiji

Samoa hosts internationally-acclaimed musician William Barton

Two Nations, One Ocean – new Australia and Palau mural

Celebrating the deep cultural connections between Australia and our Pacific partners

Australia is delivering a vibrant program of cultural collaborations across the Pacific region from June to December 2026, to celebrate the deep connections between Australia and Pacific island countries.

A series of arts and cultural performances, collaborations and exchanges will take place as part of the Australian Government’s public diplomacy initiative -  Australia now.

Australia now: Pacific edition  will celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our region and forge deeper connections grounded in mutual respect and shared heritage.

Activities will be centred around three key themes: celebrating Pacific voices and partnerships; First Nations connections; and the shared challenge of climate change.

Collaborative initiatives such as joint performances, residencies, festivals, workshops, and cultural heritage and preservation projects will build stronger partnerships.

Explore the program

 

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7 October 2026

Queensland State Office hosts Brisbane’s Pacific community

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Queensland State Office hosted a reception on 17 September to celebrate DFAT’s Australia now: Pacific edition partnership with the Brisbane Festival’s Pasifika Made. Australia now: Pacific edition is DFAT’s flagship public diplomacy initiative celebrating the deep cultural connections between Australia and Pacific partners in 2026. Through the initiative, DFAT supported Pasifika Made, a flagship event showcasing contemporary Pacific culture and strengthening cultural links between Australia and Pacific partners.
  • News

27 September 2026

Pacific perspectives on global stage at the 22nd International Congress of Maritime Museums, Sydney

What do a master voyager from the Cook Islands, a museum director from Fiji and a researcher from Samoa have in common? This month, Australia was proud to support Deon Wong, Captain of the Cook Islands voyaging canoe Marumaru Atua; Armando Lowe, Director of the Fiji National Museum; and Vaiwilmalua Filia Maotua, Research Assistant at the National University of Samoa, to join maritime heritage leaders from around the world at the 22nd International Congress of Maritime Museums in Sydney, Australia #ICMM2026
  • News

27 August 2026

New large-scale Australian-Palaun Mural visited by Head of State

Check out the amazing “Two Nations. One Ocean” mural at Palau High School as part of Australia now: Pacific edition. This collaboration between Palauan artist Elsei Tellei and Australian First Nations artist Maddison Gibbs is a celebration of strong and growing cultural connections between Palau and Australia as part of Australia Now: Pacific Edition. Palau President, H.E. Surangel Whipps Jr visited the mural and met the artists.
  • News

12 August 2026

Samoa hosts internally-acclaimed musician William Barton

Australian and Samoan artists, musicians and communities came together from 21 July to 1 August for Breath of Country, Breath of Ocean, a cultural exchange presented by the Australian High Commission in Samoa and Tiapapata Art Centre as part of Australia now: Pacific edition. Internationally acclaimed First Nations musician William Barton, respected Elder and storyteller Aunty Delmae Barton, and Samoan-Australian musician Isaiah B. Brunt joined communities across Samoa for workshops, cultural visits, performances and creative collaborations.
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Past Australia now programs

2025

Australia now Papua New Guinea

Australia now: Papua New Guinea –Yumi Stap Wantaim – Side by Side, Step by Step, was a year-long celebration marking Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence and honouring the close and enduring partnership between our two nations.

Website

2019

Australia now ASEAN

Australia now ASEAN 2019 built upon the deep and long-standing ties between Australia and ASEAN member countries. 2019’s program focussed on engaging and celebrating the vitality, diversity and capability of youth across Southeast Asia. We were honoured that the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hosted in 2019.

Website

2018

Australia now Japan

Australia now Japan celebrated Australian innovation, creativity and lifestyle in Japan from April to November 2018. Recognising our strong ties and people-to-people links, Australia now promoted Australia’s creative excellence, diversity and innovation and strengthened networks and collaboration.

Website