The Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant (MBOP) continues its nationwide expansion with New Ireland Province officially joining as the newest provincial chapter. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the New Ireland Pageant Committee and the national MBOP PNG on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. The Miss Bird of Paradise New Ireland Pageant Committee, chaired by Sylvia Pascoe, will work closely with the New Ireland Student Associations at the University of Papua New Guinea and Pacific Adventist University. Representatives, including Sylvia Mishiel Uku and colleagues from UPNG NISA, attended the signing ceremony. Deputy Chair of the MBOP PNG National Committee, Ruby Kerepa, congratulated New Ireland for taking the bold step to join the platform. “As MBOP PNG continues our vision to ensure participation of all 22 provinces in this year’s pageant, we are proud to welcome New Ireland Province. Your willingness to join this journey affirms our vision of a platform that truly represents our country and its diverse cultures,” Ms. Kerepa said. The Miss Bird of Paradise New Ireland Pageant will select a contestant to represent the province at the national event in December. Aspiring contestants will apply through a provincial selection process, while provinces unable to host full-scale pageants will nominate representatives. The MBOP PNG committee extended its congratulations to New Ireland Province and wished them success in their preparations.