The Pacific’s biggest music competition has returned for 2026 with ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Break on the search for the Papua New Guinea’s best original talent.
Kicking off on Friday 28 August, artists have until midnight on Wednesday 21 October to enter their original tracks with the winner receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia to perform at WOMADelaide – Australia’s largest international music, arts and dance festival. The winner of Pacific Break 2026 will be revealed on Thursday 12 November 2026.
PNG’s powerful vocalist Danielle made history as the first female winner of Pacific Break in 2022 with her song Fight. Since 2023, PNG’s Ragga Siai, Asi Vaname, Taz, Tarvin Toune, Kazibuda, Raylinda, Mereani Masani, Darkaside, Jay Sint and Tyron Scott from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have all reached the finalist stage of the competition.
This year’s judging panel will be looking for authenticity and creativity across diverse genres, and includes Papua New Guinean-born Australian neo-soul star Ngaiire, Australian-based Fijian artist Joji Malani, WOMADelaide Associate Director Annette Tripodi and ABC Radio Australia music presenters Hau Lātūkefu and Sose Fuamoli.
According to Malani, “I’m looking for artists who want to weave in their own stories and tell things to the world, to a global perspective but in a way that represents who they are, their culture, their family in the most authentic manner without trying to be like anything else. You can be influenced by things out there, but I’m interested in authenticity.”
Fuamoli said, “Last year we saw a number of new genres represented, and I would love to see artists playing with form and style continue to feel confident in submitting. I’m looking for strong personalities, strong voices and strong storytelling!'”
ENDS
HOW TO ENTER
Competition entries open at 9am AEST on Friday 28 August 2026 and will be open until 11:59pm AEST Wednesday 21 October 2026.
Submit your original track(s) in one of three ways;
- Complete the online entry form, available here;
- Get in touch with the ABC’s Pacific Break team via WhatsApp (+61 447 310 986) and send through your songs and information; and/or
- Send an email with all your details to [email protected], including your music files as an attachment.
For more information about Pacific Break, including competition details and terms and conditions, visit www.abc.net.au/pacificbreak
For interview opportunities or general media enquiries, please contact:
Annalise Ramponi - Marketing and Communications Coordinator, ABC International
PNG artist and winner of Pacific Break 2019, Sprigga Mek, performing at the Meganesia concert held at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, June 2025.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100