Discover the inspiring legacy of Pipi Gari, Papua New Guinea’s first indigenous ship captain, and his impact on Port Moresby’s history.
Pipi Gari: A Legacy Woven Into Port Moresby’s History
by Mea Vai | 30 April 2025
When I first started my firm at the Harbourside Precinct, I noticed a large, white-covered book sitting on the coffee table at reception. It was a beautifully bound volume on the history of Steamships Limited — one of the longest-running businesses in Papua New Guinea.
Lillian Thomas, who looked after reception, probably saw me eyeing it often. I’m a lover of history, so I eventually “borrowed” it and kept it in my office for a week (sorry, Lillian!).
As I flipped through the pages, one name kept appearing: Pipi Gari. Around the same time, Steamships was celebrating its centenary, and I remember a tall vertical banner on the ground floor featuring his name and photo.
Pipi Gari was from Elevala village. He began his career as a seaman and later made history by becoming Papua New Guinea’s first indigenous ship captain.
As our nation moved towards independence, individuals like Pipi Gari stood out — not by title, but through their service, discipline, and dedication. His legacy was such that Steamships named a vessel in his honour — a ship that sailed across the waters of Samarai, Alotau, Port Moresby, and the Gulf Province, connecting communities and moving trade forward.
Later, a street in Port Moresby was named after him — a subtle but permanent tribute.
Today, many might pass by Pipi Gari Street without knowing the story behind the name. But if names were brands, then Pipi Gari would stand for leadership, loyalty, and legacy — built not through slogans, but through real contribution and respect earned at sea and onshore.
As we walk these streets, let’s remember that names like Pipi Gari aren’t just markers — they are reminders of how far we’ve come, and who helped take us there.
Pic: The insert is from The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne), Sat 26 Jan 1929 and reads “ PIPI GARI enjoys a smoke. Actually, he’s quite an important man. He is at present in Sydney waiting to take a schooner to Port Moresby.”
