In the Best Interests
Intrigue and Payback in Papua New Guinea
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A story for anyone who’s ever asked: What would I risk to do what’s right?
Papua New Guinea, 1980s: a fascinating and dangerous country. Idealistic, newly arrived teachers, John and Elisa Mendzela, step into a world of rich culture, eager learners—and buried secrets. When evidence of widespread sexual exploitation of students by expatriate educators lands in their hands, they join a small group of colleagues trying to stop the abuse quietly, through official channels.
But the corrupt are protected by cover-ups and the whistleblowers are punished. Events spiral into firings, threats of deportation, media exposés, student uprisings and armed police on campus. John and Elisa are forced into a high-stakes battle for justice that shakes a young nation still reckoning with its colonial past.
In the Best Interests is a gripping true story of courage, corruption, colonial legacy, and the cost of standing up when it’s easier to stay silent. Illustrated with striking photos and authentic documents, the book combines the twists and turns of a crime thriller with deep insights into indigenous people grappling with the challenges of true independence.
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Reviews
"…gripping story of a scandal at a Papua New Guinea college in the 1980s. John and Elisa Mendzela were part of a whistle blower group fighting to end the organised sexual abuse of students carried out by expats. The book reveals how armed police, the Education Department and the Education Secretary all fought to repress the whistle blowers.
In the Best Interests is a page-turning, shocking and haunting true story of how, without appropriate checks, individuals in positions of power will seek to exploit the vulnerable. It demonstrates that in scandals of this nature, even those who are not themselves directly involved in abuse often shield those who are, to 'protect institutional authority' or 'root out troublemakers’. It's a story we still see in institutions today where fear of reprisal prevents individuals from taking action against wrongdoing.
John and Elisa, and their teacher colleagues, were not prepared to let exploitation continue. They risked their jobs and their very lives in the pursuit of justice. And they eventually succeeded when PNG teachers and students' parents finally joined in action against the expat perpetrators."
Alphonse Bariasi, in The National (PNG daily newspaper)
“Excellent pacing – worthy of a good action novel.”
Dan Myers, literary agent and manuscript assessor
“Strong descriptions: I could taste New Guinea.”
Dr Roger Buchanan, international scientist
"5 out of 5 stars ... really well-done true crime nonfiction ...... strong writing style"
On-line reviewer
"A thorough telling of their fight. I would want them on my side any day!"
On-line reviewer
'Our book relates past events. But abusive behaviour by public institutions, and harassment of whistleblowers who try to stop that, continue to this day. We hope our story will encourage anyone in a similar situation to act ‘in the best interests’ of those they are responsible for and challenge those who would abuse their official positions to exploit others or suppress the truth.’ John Mendzela
‘Throughout our story, many different individuals had opportunities to do the right thing, the wrong thing, or nothing at all. Our book pays tribute to those who chose to do the right thing, often at personal cost and risk. Equally prominent was the key role played by reliable and respected public media to bring our case to public attention and ensure that the truth could no longer be repressed.’ Elisa Mendzela
John Mendzela grew up in the United States and attended university in England, where he met and married his lifetime partner Elisa Mendzela. The young couple trained as teachers and began work in England. Keen on travel and adventure, they migrated to New Zealand and then took up posts in newly independent Papua New Guinea. In the Best Interests tells the story of what they found there and what they felt compelled to do about it – leading to the dramatic events that became widely known as ‘The Keravat Affair’.
After the ‘Keravat affair’, John and Elisa developed new careers as independent governance and management consultants. They have worked in institutional and organisational change across a diverse range of cultures in over 30 countries, including PNG and the Pacific. In 1994, their consulting company Mendhurst was legally incorporated (unbeknownst to them) precisely on their twentieth wedding anniversary. This Website showcases their professional work and business writing.
John and Elisa live in New Zealand in a home and office overlooking beautiful Wellington harbour, from a native forest backdrop they have legally protected from development. They can often be found at work in the garden, on the run at the golf course or supporting local theatre. More of their narrative non-fiction can be found on this Website under ‘Short Tales from Tall Orders’.