Endorsed Papua New Guinea carver Jameson Agwi, from Wosera-Gawi in the East Sepik Province, described himself as “beyond blessed” to be given the opportunity to design and carve the King’s Baton that recently toured part of Port Moresby and East New Britain province.
Agwi said he was confident in his God-given ability to produce the baton.
“I told God I could do it, so I applied,” he said. “On Christmas Day, I was awarded the rights to work on the baton.”
When asked how long he had been working on the baton prior to the official launch on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Agwi explained that he began carving only a few days before the ceremony.
“I started work on the baton on Sunday at noon and completed it on Tuesday at 4 p.m.,” he said.
He expressed great joy at being selected to design the King’s Baton.
Agwi also spoke about the challenges he faced as an artist, explaining that while he is a skilled carver, he is not a painter. As a result, he sought divine guidance and relied on prayer while applying his knowledge to the creation.
“We were given criteria for the paintings on the baton—it was to depict Papua New Guinea in its authenticity,” he said.
“I prayed and asked God to help me understand what the criteria meant.”
The King’s Baton features three distinct faces, each symbolizing different aspects of Papua New Guinea’s identity and its connection to the Commonwealth Games.
First Face: Represents the sports targeted by the Papua New Guinea Commonwealth Games Association for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, highlighting the nation’s athletic ambitions.
Second Face: Features the national flag, surrounded by cultural motifs from the country’s four regions, reflecting Papua New Guinea’s rich diversity and beauty.
Third Face: Depicts a church positioned alongside elements of Papua New Guinea’s pastoral heritage, symbolizing unity and faith. It also incorporates traditional attire, artefacts, and symbols of community, resilience, and belief, illustrating the nation’s unique story of unity in diversity.
