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
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.
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 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.National Statistical Office: 2000 Census Figures, Port Moresby
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.
Premiers (1976–1995)
Premier Term James Yanepa 1976–1986 Walter Nombe 1986–1991 Robert Atiyafa 1991–1995 (Currently he is an Open Member for Henganofi, 2025)
Governors (1995–present)
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
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
https://web.archive.org/web/20080704101843/http://www.easternhighlands.com.pg/facts.htm State of the Province Document, 1994