The University of Auckland (UoA) and the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) have shown interest in building partnership with the universities in Papua New Guinea, after a recent visit to Auckland by students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG). The winning team of the 2023 UPNG Student Representative Council (SRC) Luther Wenge Debate Competition, recently travelled to Auckland, New Zealand, which was hosted by the University of Auckland and the Auckland University of Technology, in a one-week meaningful engagement which included activities such as panel discussions, campus tours, and cultural activities. The engagement was supported by the Office of the Pro Vice-chancellor Pacific, for both UoA and AUT, which resulted in both universities showing interest in seeing this program grow and continue in the future. The UoA Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor, Jemaima Tiatia-Siau, indicated that the University of Auckland wishes to establish a long-term partnership with UPNG and PNG as a whole through this opportunity. This was the same feedback from the Pacific Advancement Office in AUT who were also keen on seeing more PNG Students in Auckland. The AUT Assistant Pro Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Rennie Atfield-Douglas on the other hand, also made mention that AUT is looking forward to building this engagement and relationship. This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity where a student-led initiative has seen international engagement and partnership between UPNG and UoA, and there is hope for more meaningful international engagement so that UPNG students get much needed exposure to international universities. One of the major prizes of the 2023 UPNG Student Representative Council (SRC) debate competition was to see the winning team travel to New Zealand as part of a promising partnership between the 2023 UPNG Student Representative Council and the Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA). This is an initiative of the 2023 UPNG SRC, under the leadership of the President, Luther Kising, supported by the Commonwealth Students’ Association through its Pacific Regional Representative, Bradley Yombon-Copio. Furthermore, the support given to UPNG SRC in future events such as student exchange programs and debates, will see students’ exposure to world standard institutions and learn from a country well rooted in culture. Former UPNG SRC President, Yombon-Copio also expressed that he would like to see this program grow and he is so thankful for all the support he had received to drive this initiative. “This engagement opened the door to opportunities such as international exposure and learning experience for students from UPNG, as the students not only represented UPNG but the Country as whole, and I hope to see the support from the University’s administration in the future, given the potential this engagement has shown.” Moreover, there is hope for more meaningful regional and international student engagements from Universities within PNG, as such engagement is an avenue to share knowledge and resources if long term partnership is established, and also to strengthen relationships between students and the universities. This is a milestone engagement for PNG to see such initiatives led by students as education is a priority and initiatives like this have the potential to influence change which will see young PNG people representing at a regional and international level. Meanwhile, the winning team led by Bradley Yombon-Copio, included the 2023 UPNG SRC Female Vice President, Gloria Mabiria, and students; Lovanchor Dotson, Edna Kiisaku, and Clive Akuru who travelled to Auckland. The 2023 UPNG SRC Luther Wenge Debate Competition commenced early in semester two of 2023 and was sponsored by the Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge. The funds were then allocated by the UPNG SRC’s Debate Committee, for financial support for the students’ trip to Auckland, as well as additional financial support from Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited.