National Parliament Haus

The Parliament building at Waigani was opened in 1984 and its form is the point: the main chamber is built as a haus tambaran, the spirit house of the Sepik, with a great sloping gabled front rising to a peak, faced with a mosaic designed by Archie Brennan showing figures and motifs from across the country, and a smaller round element referencing highlands round houses. Inside, the entrance hall carries carved posts, a large mosaic, and decoration contributed from the different provinces, so the building functions as a statement about a country assembled from many cultures. Visits are possible when the house is not sitting, arranged at the entrance, and the exterior can be seen at any time.

What to look for

• The mosaic facade - the great gable front with its figure panels.
• The spirit house form - the Sepik architecture the chamber is modelled on.
• The entrance hall - the carved posts and provincial contributions.
• The Waigani setting - the government district around the building.

When to go

Year round; visits depend on the parliamentary calendar and are not possible while the house sits. Weekday mornings are best for arranging entry. Photography of the exterior is straightforward.

Before you go

Interior access depends entirely on the sitting calendar and security arrangements and is often refused. Photography inside is restricted. Getting around Port Moresby means arranged transport rather than walking between districts. The visit is short.

Nearby

The National Museum is adjacent; the Nature Park is close.