Thank you Ariku for your services

WHEN it comes to understanding Papua New Guinea’s political history, particularly the events that occurred somewhere in Sydney, Australia, that resulted in the granting of independence to PNG, very little is known about a man from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville who negotiated for PNG’s independence while studying in Australia.
Aaron Kauma Ariku, a former PNG unionist in the early 1970s, was sent to Sydney on a short-term study programme by the then chief minister, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
However, before his studies in Australia, he was already in close contact with Gough Whitlam, his fellow Australian unionist of Australia’s labour party, who was also aspiring for the Australia’s prime minister’s seat.
Sir Michael was close to Ariku since both of them started the Pangu Pati’s Madang branch in the late 1960s when Sir Michael was teaching at Tusbab in Madang.
Before Ariku departed, Sir Michael, knowing well that Ariku’s fellow unionist was contesting Australia’s prime minister’s seat, whispered to Ariku and told him to use his union ties with Whitlam to secure PNG’s independence if Whitlam became the prime minister of Australia.
All went well.
Young Airiku departed for Sydney.
He met Whitlam.
Ariku, who was outspoken, played a part by campaigning for his fellow friend, Whitlam, among the students at university.
Whitlam then became the prime minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975.
He called Ariku and asked what he would prefer as a present for supporting him.
It was that very moment that Airiku told him: “I would like Papua and New Guinea to be given independence”.
Back home in Port Moresby, Sir Michael already knew that things were looking good for PNG when Ariku’s close friend became the prime minister.
This is how Ariku played a significant role towards PNG’s independence from Australia.
Last week in Madang, Ariku was buried at his wife’s Furan village outside of Madang town. He died at 90 years and is survived by five children and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ariku, the man from Tonu village in Siwai, Bougainville, spent much of his life as a senior public servant and a unionist.
In recognition of his service to PNG, Bougainville and Madang, Madang Governor Peter Yama and Madang MP Bryan Kramer provided financial support for funeral expenses for Ariku.

Joel Minsipi,
Pom