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Eastern Highlands Province

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Eastern Highlands Province

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°4′20″S 145°23′39″E / 6.07222°S 145.39417°E / -6.07222; 145.39417
CountryPapua New Guinea
Formation1966
CapitalGoroka
Districts
Government
  GovernorSimon Sia (since 2022)
Area
  Total
11,157 km2 (4,308 sq mi)
Population
 (2011 census)
  Total
579,825
  Density51.970/km2 (134.60/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+10 (AEST)
HDI (2018)0.512[1]
low · 18th of 22
Websiteehp.gov.pg

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.

Districts and LLGs

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]

Demography

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

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)

Premier Term
James Yanepa1976–1986
Walter Nombe1986–1991
Robert Atiyafa1991–1995 (Currently he is an Open Member for Henganofi, 2025)

Governors (1995–present)

Governor Term
Aita Ivarato1995–1997
Peti Lafanama1997–1998
Damson Lafana1998–2000
Peti Lafanama2000–2002
Malcolm Kela Smith2002–2012
Julie Soso2012–2017
Peter Numu2017–2022
Simon Sia2022–current

Members of the National Parliament

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.

References

  1. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  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 18 May 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  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 6 September 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  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. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  6. "Provinces". rulers.org. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2017.