The Pacific’s biggest music competition has returned for 2026 with ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Break on the search for Papua New Guinea’s best original talent.

Kicking off on Friday 28 August, artists have until midnight on Wednesday October 21, 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, November 12, 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, 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, alongside ABC Radio Australia music presenters Hau Lātūkefu and Sose Fuamoli.

According to Malani, he stated, “I am 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.”

Echoing this sentiment, Fuamoli added, “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 am looking for strong personalities, strong voices and strong storytelling!”