| Eastern Highlands | |
| Coordinates: | -6.5°N 185°W |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Papua New Guinea |
| Parts Type: | Districts |
| Parts Style: | list |
| P1: | Daulo District |
| P2: | Goroka District |
| P3: | Henganofi District |
| P4: | Kainantu District |
| P5: | Lufa District |
| P6: | Obura-Wonenara District |
| P7: | Okapa District |
| P8: | Unggai-Bena District |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Goroka |
| Area Total Km2: | 11157 |
| Population Total: | 579825 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 census |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Main languages |
| Established Title: | Formation |
| Established Date: | 1966 |
| Leader Title: | Governor |
| Leader Name: | Peter Numu 2017– |
| Timezone1: | AEST |
| Utc Offset1: | +10 |
| Blank Name Sec1: | HDI (2018) |
| Blank Info Sec1: | 0.512[1] · 18th of 22 |
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.
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]
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]
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]
| Premier | Term |
|---|---|
| 1976–1986 | |
| 1986–1991 | |
| 1991–1995 | |
| Governor | Term | |
|---|---|---|
| 1995–1997 | ||
| 1997–1998 | ||
| 1998–2000 | ||
| 2000–2002 | ||
| 2002–2012 | ||
| 2012–2017 | ||
| 2017–2022 | ||
| 2022–current |
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 |
| Ekime Gorosahu | |
| Aiye Tambua | |
| Robert Atiyafa | |
| William Hagahuno | |
| Simo Kilepa | |
| John Boito | |
| Saki Soloma | |
| Kinoka Hotune | |