West New Britain Province
West New Britain Province
Wes Niu Briten Provins ( Tok Pisin ) | ||
---|---|---|
Districts | ||
Government | ||
• Governor | UTC+10 (AEST) | |
HDI (2019) | 0.592[1] medium · 6th of 22 |
West New Britain is a province of Papua New Guinea on the islands of New Britain. The provincial capital is Kimbe. The area of the province is 20,387 km2 with a population of 264,264 as of the 2011 census.[2] The province's only land border is with East New Britain. There are seven major tribes, the Nakanai, Bakovi, Kove, Unea, Maleu, Arowe, speaking about 25 languages.
People from West New Britain are referred to as "Kombes" in Papua New Guinea, in metonymic reference to the significant Kove (or Kombe) people. The Kove people were reported on by the anthropologist
The predominant religious affiliation is
West New Britain produces
Districts and LLGs
There are two
District | District Capital | LLG Name |
---|---|---|
Kandrian-Gloucester District | Kandrian | Gasmata Rural |
Gloucester Rural | ||
Kandrian Coastal Rural | ||
Kandrian Inland Rural | ||
Kove-Kaliai Rural
| ||
Talasea District | Kimbe | Bali-Witu Rural
|
Bialla Rural | ||
Hoskins Rural | ||
Kimbe Urban | ||
Mosa Rural | ||
Talasea Rural |
Provincial leaders
The province was governed by a decentralised provincial administration, headed by a Premier, from 1978 to 1995. Following reforms taking effect that year, the national government reassumed some powers, and the role of Premier 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.[4][5]
Premiers (1978–1995)
Premier | Term |
---|---|
Bernard Vogae | 1978–1987 |
Joseph Lehen | 1987–1988 |
Robert Lawrence | 1988–1993 |
Bernard Vogae | 1993–1995 |
Governors (1995–present)
Governor | Term |
---|---|
Lucas Waka | 1995–1997 |
Bernard Vogae | 1997–2000 |
Clement Nakmai | 2000–2007 |
Peter Humphreys | 2007–2012 |
Sasindran Muthuvel | 2012–present |
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.
Electorate | Member |
---|---|
West New Britain Provincial | Sasindran Muthuvel |
Nakanai Open | Francis Maneke |
Kandrian-Gloucester Open | Joseph Lelang |
Talasea Open | Freddy R Kumai |
References
- ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea". City Population.de. Thomas Brinkhoff. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ "National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea". National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Provinces". rulers.org. Retrieved 31 March 2017.