Papua New Guiniea's Provinces and People - East New Britain Province

Map of Papua New Guinea highlighting East New Britain Province

East New Britain Provincial flag

East New Britain is a province of Papua New Guinea, on the north-eastern part of the island of New Britain and it also includes the Duke of York Islands. The capital of the province is Kokopo, not far from the old capital of Rabaul, which was largely destroyed in the 1994 volcanic eruption. East New Britain covers a total land area of 15,816 km², and the province has an estimated population of 220,133 (2000 census). Provincial coastal waters extend over an area of 104,000 m².

Some facts

East New Britain lies between 4 and 6 degrees south of the equator and was one of the first areas in PNG to be visited by early explorers and navigators. It covers a total land area of 15, 816 sq kms much of which is rugged mountainous terrain covered by tropical rainforest. Provincial coastal waters extend over an area of 104,000 square kilometres.

Population

The estimated population of the province is 230, 000 made up mainly of Tolais. People who live in East New Britain are of Melanesian descent, speaking Australasian languages of which there are sixteen.

“Kuanua” which the Tolais speak is the main language of the Gazelle Peninsula. English is also widely spoken and understood. There are sixteen Austronesian languages spoken in the province, of which Kuanua, spoken by the Tolai on the Gazelle Peninsula is the most widely spoken.

East New Britain has a dual economy: a cash economy operates side by side with the subsistence-farming sector. The main crops produced for export are cocoa and copra. Tourism continues to be an increasingly important sector of the provincial economy.

Brief Political History

Local Government Councils were established in the province during the colonial era. between 1960 and 1970 these smaller councils were amalgamated into three large Council Areas, namely the Gazelle, Greater Toma and Mengen. East New Britain attaned Provincial Government status in 1976 with sixteen appointed members in the first Interim Provincial Government (IPG).

Tavurvur Volcano - after the major eruption

The IPG was later responsible for developing the East New Britain Provincial Government Constitution. The first Provincial Government was formely inaugurated on 3th July 1976. Since 1981 East New Britain Provincial Governments have been very stable with only one attempted “vote of no confidence”.

Environment

The tropical nature of the province, with its evergreen rainforest vegetation and rugged mountain ranges, the imposing volcanoes which surround the town of Rabaul and the beautiful Simpson Harbour as well as the friendliness of the local people, have made East New Britain an attractive and adventurous holiday destination.

Putput Sandy Beach - Good for picnicking

The climate consists of two main seasons, the wet, November to April and dry, May to October. East New Britain is also home to numerous colourful birds which include the famous hornbills, parrots and megapodes, whose eggs are selectively harvested from deep in the hot volcanic ash to provide food and income for the local people.

Rabaul which is built on an ancient volcanic crater, is surrounded by six volcanoes which add beauty and are natural attraction to the town of Rabaul. Simpson harbour is one of the deepest in Papua New Guinea and can accommodate some of the world's largest cruise ships bringing tourists to the town, the Gazelle Peninsula and the Province.

Map of PNG - ENBP is circled in red colour

The marine resources in the East New Britain are diverse. The clear warm blue waters provide a home for a great colourful corals, fish and World War II relics, whist scuba-diving and snorkelling can be undertaken at Tavui Submarine Bay, Kulau Lodge , Duke Of York Islands, Baining and Pomio, or for that matter anywhere along the many kilometers of beautiful beaches in the Province. For more information about the East New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea, click here.