Provinces of Papua New Guinea

What is a province?

The Constitution of Papua New Guinea established the provinces of Papua New Guinea. A province is a territorial division or administrative division within a country. It is often a region that is smaller than the entire country but larger than a city or municipality. Provinces are typically created to facilitate governance and administration at a subnational level.

The specific powers and responsibilities of a province can vary depending on the country and its system of government. In some countries, provinces are responsible for areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and local economic development. They may also have their own elected officials or government representatives who oversee these functions.

Provinces can have different names in different countries. For example, in the United States, provinces are called states, while in Australia, they are referred to as states or territories. In Canada, provinces have a significant level of autonomy and are responsible for a variety of functions, such as healthcare, education, natural resource management, and transportation.

The number and size of provinces within a country can also vary. Some countries have a few large provinces, while others have numerous smaller ones..

Purpose of provinces

Provinces are often created to decentralize and distribute governance and resources, as well as to ensure effective administration and service delivery to specific regions or communities. They can have their own laws, regulations, and policies that cater to the specific needs and characteristics of the respective areas they govern. The purpose of provinces is to provide a level of local governance and administration that is closer to the citizens and can address regional needs and priorities

In the case of Papua New Guinea, dividing the country into provinces serves multiple purposes. It helps with local governance and administration by providing a framework for local decision-making and service delivery. Provinces allow for the allocation of resources, including funds and personnel, to specific regions of the country, promoting regional development and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within each area.

Furthermore, provinces enable greater participation and representation for local communities. Each province typically has its own provincial government, which consists of elected officials who are responsible for making decisions about local issues and implementing policies that address the specific needs of their communities.

Provinces of Papua New Guinea

The Constitution provinces for the creation of provinces. Section 5 of the Constitution states that an Organic law may either declare or make provisions for the declaration of certain parts of the country as provinces. This organic law may provide for or make provision in respect of:

1. the creation of new provinces by the amalgamation; or
2. division of existing provinces; or
3. for the variation of the boundaries of a province.

This organic law is the Organic Law on Provincial Boundaries which was consolidated to Organic Law on Provincial Boundaries (Boundaries Description) (Amendment) Law 2009 (Organic Law). This Organic Law as made by the Constituent Assembly to come into operation on Independence Day, 16 September 1975. It was adopted on 31 July 1975, before the Constitution was adopted, and reconsidered and re-adopted on 15 August 1975, after the adoption of the Constitution. Section 1 of the Organic Law divided Papua New Guinea into the following provinces:

1. Bougainville Province.
2. Central Province.
3. Chimbu Province.
4. Eastern Highlands Province.
5. East New Britain Province.
6. East Sepik Province.
7. Enga Province.
8. Gulf Province.
9. Hela Province.
10. Jiwaka Province.
11. Madang Province.
12. Manus Province.
13. Milne Bay Province.
14. Morobe province.
15. New Ireland Province.
16. Northern Province.
17. Southern Highlands Province.
18. Western Province.
19. Western Highlands Province.
20. West New Britain Province.
21. West Sepik Province.

Inclusion of Hela and Jiwaka Provinces

In 2009 an amendment was made to the Organic Law by Organic Law on Provincial Boundaries (Boundaries Description) (Amendment) Law 2009 where it created and included Hela and Jiwaka as provinces of Papua New Guinea.

The National Capital District, which contains the capital city of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, operates as a separate administrative unit within the country. It is established by the Constitution and is governed by the National Capital District Commission Act 2001.

Overall, the division of Papua New Guinea into provinces helps with decentralization, regional development, local governance, and representation, allowing for more efficient and effective administration of the country.

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