Eastern Highlands is a highlands province of Papua New Guinea. The provincial capital is Goroka. The province covers an area of 11,157 km2, and has a population of 579,825 (2011 census). The province shares a common administrative boundary with Madang Province to the north, Morobe Province to the east, Gulf Province to the south, and Simbu Province to the west. The province is the home of the Asaro mud mask that is displayed at shows and festivals within the province and in the country. The province is reachable by air, including Goroka Airport, and road transport, including the main Highlands Highway.

Eastern Highlands
Isten Hailans Provins (Tok Pisin)
Flag of Eastern Highlands
Eastern Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea
Eastern Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea
Coordinates: 6°30′S 145°40′E / 6.500°S 145.667°E / -6.500; 145.667
CountryPapua New Guinea
Formation1966
CapitalGoroka
Districts
Government
 • GovernorPeter Numu 2017–
Area
 • Total11,157 km2 (4,308 sq mi)
Population
 (2011 census)
 • Total579,825
 • Density52/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+10 (AEST)
HDI (2018)0.512[1]
low · 18th of 22

Districts and LLGs

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District map of Eastern Highlands Province

Each province in Papua New Guinea has one or more districts, and each district has one or more Local Level Government (LLG) areas. For census purposes, the LLG areas are subdivided into wards and those into census units.[2][3]

District District Capital LLG Name
Daulo District Asaro Watabung Rural
Lower Asaro Rural
Upper Asaro Rural
Goroka District Goroka Gahuku Rural
Goroka Urban
Mimanalo Rural
Henganofi District Henganofi Kafentina Rural
Dunantina Rural
Fayantina Rural
Kainantu District Kainantu Kainantu Urban
Kamano 1 Rural
Kamano 2 Rural
Agarabi
Gadsup-Tairora Rural
Lufa District Lufa Yagaria Rural
Mount Michael Rural
Unavi Rural
Obura-Wonenara District Lamari Lamari Rural
Yelia Rural
Okapa District Okapa East Okapa Rural
West Okapa Rural
Unggai-Benna District Benna Lower Benna Rural
Upper Benna Rural
Unggai Rural

Demography

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Eastern Highland Province had a population of 432,972 (PNG citizens) and 1,173 (non-citizens) in the 2000 Census. This is an increase of 31% since the 1990 Census figure.[4]

Provincial leaders

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The province was governed by a decentralised provincial administration, headed by a Regional Member, from 1977 to 1995. Following reforms taking effect that year, the national government reassumed some powers, and the role of Regional Member was replaced by a position of Governor, to be held by the winner of the province-wide seat in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea.[5][6]

Premiers (1976–1995)

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Premier Term
James Yanepa 1976–1986
Walter Nombe 1986–1991
Robert Atiyafa 1991–1995

Governors (1995–present)

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Governor Term
Aita Ivarato 1995–1997
Peti Lafanama 1997–1998
Damson Lafana 1998–2000
Peti Lafanama 2000–2002
Malcolm Kela Smith 2002–2012
Julie Soso 2012–2017
Peter Numu 2017–2022
Simon Sia 2022–current

Members of the National Parliament

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The province and each district is represented by a Member of the National Parliament. There is one provincial electorate and each district is an open electorate.

Electorate Member
Eastern Highlands Provincial Simon Sia
Daulo Open Ekime Gorosahu
Goroka Open Aiye Tambua
Henganofi Open Robert Atiyafa
Kainantu Open William Hagahuno
Lufa Open Simo Kilepa
Obura-Wonenara Open John Boito
Okapa Open Saki Soloma
Unggai-Bena Open Kinoka Hotune

References

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  1. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  2. ^ "Census Figures by Wards - Highlands Region". www.nso.gov.pg. 2011 National Population and Housing Census: Ward Population Profile. Port Moresby: National Statistical Office, Papua New Guinea. 2014. Archived from the original on 2019-05-18. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  3. ^ "Final Figures". www.nso.gov.pg. 2011 National Population and Housing Census: Ward Population Profile. Port Moresby: National Statistical Office, Papua New Guinea. 2014. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  4. ^ National Statistical Office: 2000 Census Figures, Port Moresby
  5. ^ May, R. J. "8. Decentralisation: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back". State and society in Papua New Guinea: the first twenty-five years. Australian National University. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Provinces". rulers.org. Retrieved 31 March 2017.