History of Tari

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the area where Tari is located today dates back to ancient times. The highland valley has been inhabited by people for thousands of years; however, Tari began to take shape as a modern urban settlement relatively recently. For a long time, this region remained a "blank spot" on the map for the outside world due to its geographical isolation.

The first documented contacts between local residents and European explorers occurred in the 1930s, when expeditions led by Jack Hides and James O'Malley penetrated these inaccessible areas. The official foundation of the town as an administrative center is linked to the establishment of a government post by the Australian administration in 1952. This event marked the beginning of infrastructure development and the permanent presence of government services.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of Tari into an important center of Hela Province, for which Papua New Guinea is known, was driven by several factors:

• Geography and Climate: The town is situated in a fertile valley at an altitude of about 1,600 meters. Favorable conditions for agriculture allowed for a high population density even before the arrival of modern technologies.
• Transport Accessibility: The construction of an airstrip in the mid-20th century was a turning point. Aviation connected the isolated valley with the coast and other centers, ensuring the influx of goods and specialists.
• Administrative Status: The selection of Tari as a base for patrolling and managing the vast territories of the Southern Highlands secured its status as a regional capital.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early period was based exclusively on traditional agriculture. The basis of the diet and trade was sweet potato (kaukau), and the main measure of wealth was livestock (pigs). The social structure was built around clan ties and complex exchange systems.

The cultural dominant of the region is the Huli people (Huli Wigmen). Their unique traditions, particularly the art of creating ceremonial wigs from human hair and colorful face painting, were formed long before the founding of the town. It is this distinctive culture that became the foundation that defines the atmosphere and tourism appeal of Tari today.

Major Milestones in the City's History

• Ancient Period — Settlement of the highland valley by the ancestors of the Huli people, formation of unique traditions and agricultural way of life.
• 1935 — The expedition of Jack Hides and James O'Malley penetrates this area for the first time, opening it to the outside world.
• 1952 — The Australian administration establishes the Tari government post, which is considered the founding date of the modern settlement.
• 1953–1955 — Arrival of the first Christian missionaries and the beginning of the construction of basic social infrastructure.
• 1975 — Papua New Guinea gains independence, and the administration of the region passes to the national government.
• 1980s — Discovery and commencement of mineral resource extraction in the region, changing the economic landscape.
• 1991 — Launch of production at the Hides gas field, located near the town.
• 2008 — Start of the major PNG LNG project, which attracted significant investment in the development of the province.
• May 17, 2012 — Official creation of Hela Province, with Tari proclaimed as its administrative center.
• 2015 — Completion of the city airport reconstruction and opening of a new passenger terminal.
• 2018 — The town and surrounding areas faced the consequences of a powerful earthquake, requiring large-scale recovery works.

Significant Milestones in City Development

• Breaking Centuries of Isolation (1930s–1950s). First contacts with the outside world and scientific expeditions opened the highland valley to the global community. This event marked the beginning of the region's integration into the economic and political space of Papua New Guinea.
• Founding of the Administrative Center (1952). The creation of a government post laid the foundation for the modern town of Tari. The organization of permanent administration allowed for planned construction and the formation of basic municipal services.
• Emergence as a Transport Hub. The construction of the airstrip and the launch of regular flights were critical for development. The airport became the main gateway to the province, ensuring stable connection with the coast and the capital amidst difficult terrain.
• Development of the Social Sphere. The activities of Christian missions gave a powerful impetus to the development of education and medicine. The opening of the first schools and hospitals significantly improved the quality of life for the population and promoted cultural exchange.
• Industrial Momentum (PNG LNG Project). The start of gas field development in the region attracted major investments. This economic shift led to the modernization of road infrastructure, the creation of new jobs, and the growth of business activity in the town.
• Gaining Capital Status (2012). The proclamation of Tari as the administrative center of the new Hela Province secured its political significance. The new status allowed for attracting additional budget funds for urban planning projects and the development of government institutions.
• Formation of a Tourism Brand. The popularization of the unique culture of the Huli people at the international level turned the town into a center of ethnographic tourism. The preservation of traditions has become an important factor in the local economy, attracting travelers from all over the world.

Architectural Eclecticism: From Huts to Terminals

The urban structure of Tari is unique in that the division into classical architectural styles common to European cities, such as Baroque or Art Nouveau, is practically absent here. The appearance of the town is a fusion of millennia-old traditions of the local population and utilitarian construction characteristic of remote administrative centers. The settlement developed not radially from a central square, but linearly—along the airstrip and the main road, which determined its modern layout.

Traditional Architecture of the Huli People

The most striking and authentic architectural layer of the region remains the traditional dwelling. This "style," which can be described as vernacular architecture, has dominated for centuries and persists to this day, especially in residential areas around the administrative center.

• Materials and Technologies: Houses are built from local organic materials: bamboo, split cane, and kunai grass for roofs. Walls often feature a woven pattern providing natural ventilation, which is necessary in the humid highland climate.
• Space Organization: Traditional Huli homesteads are often surrounded by high earthen mounds and ditches, which historically served for protection and marking property boundaries. A characteristic feature is the clear zoning of the territory with separate structures for different family members.

Colonial Functionalism and Mission Influence

With the arrival of the Australian administration in the mid-20th century, the architecture of the region where Papua New Guinea is located was enriched with new forms. This period brought a style to Tari that can be called colonial functionalism.

• Administrative Buildings: Structures from the 1950s–1970s are distinguished by simplicity and practicality. These are predominantly single-story frame structures on stilts, raised above the ground for protection against dampness, with wide verandas and corrugated iron roofs.
• Religious Structures: Christian missions built the first schools and churches, often experimenting with form: using Western planning solutions but adapting them to local building materials.

Modern Development and Industrial Style

Granting Tari the status of the capital of Hela Province and the development of the PNG LNG gas project marked the beginning of the era of modern construction. Concrete, glass, and steel structures arrived in the town.

• Government Quarter: The complex of the Hela Provincial Government buildings stands out against the general background due to its scale and the use of modern permanent materials. This is the administrative core of the town.
• Transport Infrastructure: The updated airport and its terminal have become a kind of architectural landmark. These are modern utilitarian structures designed with safety and comfort requirements in mind, visually connecting the remote region with the global world.

People Who Shaped the History of Tari

The history of the town and region is inextricably linked both with local leaders defending community interests at the national level and with pioneers who put this area on the world map. Below are key figures whose activities influenced the development of Tari.

• James Marape
  Politician, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
  A native of the Hela region and Member of Parliament for the Tari-Pori electorate since 2007. Becoming the Prime Minister of the country, he drew significant attention to the problems and potential of his home region. His political career contributed to large-scale investments in the town's infrastructure and the strengthening of its status as an administrative center.
• Anderson Agiru
  Political figure, Governor
  Known as the "father of Hela Province." He served for a long time as Governor of the Southern Highlands, and then of the new Hela Province. Agiru played a decisive role in the political separation of the region and the proclamation of Tari as the capital of the new province. He was also a key figure in negotiations on the PNG LNG gas project, which changed the local economy.
• Mundiya Kepanga
  Huli tribal chief, environmental activist
  A traditional leader from the Tari region who became the voice of indigenous peoples on the international stage. He gained world fame as a defender of tropical rainforests and a promoter of Huli culture. A laureate of international awards and the protagonist of documentaries, he has spoken from UNESCO platforms and attracts tourists to his native land.
• Jack Hides
  Explorer, patrol officer
  Leader of the famous 1935 expedition, which was the first from the Western world to penetrate the "Great Papuan Plateau." It was he who discovered the densely populated Tari valley, describing the rich culture of the local inhabitants and their developed agriculture, which was a sensation at the time.
• James O'Malley
  Explorer, public servant
  A companion of Jack Hides on the expedition to the headwaters of the Strickland and Purari rivers. His participation in the first contact with the inhabitants of the Tari valley marked the beginning of the integration of this isolated region into the territory known today as Papua New Guinea.