Governor-General of Papua New Guinea

Governor-General of Papua New Guinea
Coat of Arms of Papua New Guinea
Flag of the Governor-General
Incumbent Michael Ogio GCMG, CBE since 20 December 2010
Viceroy
Style	His Excellency
Residence	Government House, Papua New Guinea
Appointer	Monarch of Papua New Guinea
Term length	At His/Her Majesty's pleasure
Formation	16 September 1975
First holder	John Guise

The Governor-General of Papua New Guinea is the viceregal representative of Queen Elizabeth II, known in Tok Pisin as 'Missis Kwin', Papua New Guinea's head of state, performing the duties of the Queen in her absence. The current Governor-General of Papua New Guinea is Sir Michael Ogio.

Appointment

Government House Port Moresby early 1900s before Australia took administration of British New Guinea and changed its name to Papua.

As in Australia, the vice-regal officer's title is spelled with a hyphen. Unlike other Commonwealth realms, the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea is nominated by the country's Parliament, rather than by its Prime Minister, as is the convention almost everywhere else. The appointment is made by the Head of State of Papua New Guinea, Queen Elizabeth II, following a simple majority vote of the National Parliament. For a second term, a two-thirds majority is required. No person may serve for more than two terms, a matter made formal relation in Papua New Guinea. Thus far all retired governor-generals have been knighted.

If the office of Governor-General becomes vacant, the Speaker of the National Parliament becomes acting Governor-General until a new appointment is made.

Dismissal

The Governor-General may be dismissed by either a decision of the National Executive Council or an absolute majority of the National Parliament. No Governor-General has been dismissed from office, although Sir Serei Eri resigned from office, due to his dismissal being instructed to the Queen by Prime Minister Rabbie Namaliu.

Governors-General of Papua New Guinea

Names in white indicate the Speaker acting as the Governor-General.

	Name (Birth–Death)	Term	Sovereign	Notes
1	Sir John Guise (1914–1991)	6 September 1975 – March 1, 1977	Queen Elizabeth II	Resigned from office to contest election.
2	Sir Tore Lokoloko (1930–2013)	1 March 1977 – 1 March 1983
3	Sir Kingsford Dibela (1932–2002)	1 March 1983 – 1 March 1989		Resigned from office.
4	Sir Ignatius Kilage (1941–1989)	1 March 1989 – 31 December 1989		Died in office.
5	Sir Serei Eri (1936–1993)	27 February 1990 – 4 October 1991		Resigned from office, due to dismissal instructed to the Queen by Prime Minister.
6	Sir Wiwa Korowi (1948–)	18 November 1991 – 20 November 1997
7	Sir Silas Atopare (1951–)	20 November 1997 – 20 November 2003
8	Sir Paulias Matane (1931–)	29 June 2004 – 13 December 2010		Elected by Parliament 50 votes - 46 on May 27, 2004.
9	Sir Michael Ogio (1942–)	20 December 2010 – Present

See also

• List of colonial heads of Papua New Guinea