# Chimbu Province

Chimbu, more frequently spelled Simbu, is a province in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea. The province has an area of 6,112 km$^2$ and a population of 376,473 (2011 census). The capital of the province is Kundiawa. Mount Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in Papua New Guinea is on the border of Eastern part of Simbu and the Western part of Madang Province.

## Geography

Chimbu is located in the central highlands cordillera of Papua New Guinea. It shares geographic and political boundaries with five provinces: Jiwaka, Eastern Highlands, Southern Highlands, Gulf and Madang. It is a significant source of organically produced coffee.
Chimbu is a province with limited natural resources and very rugged mountainous terrain. The economic progress of the province has been slower than some other highlands provinces.

## Education

There are seven secondary schools in the province: Kondiu Rosary, Yauwe Moses, Kerowagi, Muaina, Gumine, Mt Willem and Kundiawa Day Secondary School. The province also has many high and primary schools.

## Districts and LLGs

The province is subdivided into six districts, with each district further subdivided into 18 rural LLGs and 2 urban LLGs areas. Each of the RLLGs are headed by a President and Urban LLG by a Mayor. Each LLGs have various council wards represented by a councillor who sits in the Council Assembly. All the councillors are democratically elected and Presidents are elected in the Council Assembly. For census purposes, the LLG areas are again subdivided into wards and those into census units.
| District | District Capital | LLG Name |
| Chuave District | Chuave | Chuave Rural |
| Chuave District | Chuave | Elimbari Rural |
| Chuave District | Chuave | Siane Rural |
| Gumine District | Gumine | Bomai-Gumai Rural |
| Gumine District | Gumine | Gumine Rural |
| Gumine District | Gumine | Mount Digine Rural |
| Salt Nomane Karamui District | Kilau | Karimui Rural |
| Salt Nomane Karamui District | Kilau | Nomane Rural |
| Salt Nomane Karamui District | Kilau | Salt Rural |
| Kerowagi District | Kerowagi | Gena-Waugla Rural |
| Kerowagi District | Kerowagi | Upper-Lower Koronigl Rural |
| Kerowagi District | Kerowagi | Kerowagi Urban |
| Kerowagi District | Kerowagi | Kup Rural |
| Kundiawa-Gembogl District | Kundiawa | Kundiawa Urban |
| Kundiawa-Gembogl District | Kundiawa | Mitnande Rural (Mount Wilhelm Rural) |
| Kundiawa-Gembogl District | Kundiawa | Niglkande Rural |
| Kundiawa-Gembogl District | Kundiawa | Waiye Rural |
| Sina Sina-Yonggomugl District | Yonggomugl | Tabare Rural (Sinasina) |
| Sina Sina-Yonggomugl District | Yonggomugl | Suai Rural (Suwai) |
| Sina Sina-Yonggomugl District | Yonggomugl | Yonggomugl Rural |

## Political governance and administration
### Chimbu provincial leaders

The province was governed by a decentralised provincial administration, headed by a Premier, from 1977 to 1995. Following reforms taking effect that year, the national government reassumed some powers, and the role of Premier 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 |
| Siwi Kurondo | 1976–1978 |
| Mathew Siune | 1978–1984 |
| provincial government suspended | 1984–1986 |
| Peter Gul | 1986–1988 |
| David Mai | 1988–1992 |
| Edward Bare | 1992–1993 |
| Edward Aba | 1993–1995 |

#### Governors (1995–present)

| Governor | Term |
| Yauwe Riyong | 1995–1997 |
| Louis Ambane | 1997–1998 |
| Simeon Wai | 1998–1999 |
| Louis Ambane | 1999–2003 |
| Alphonse Willie | 2003–2004 |
| Peter Launa | 2004–2007 |
| John Garia | 2007–2012 |
| Noah Kool | 2012–2017 |
| Micheal Dua Bogai | 2017–2022 |
| Noah Kool | 2022–present |

### 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 a local ("Open") electorate.
| Electorate | Name |
| Chimbu Provincial | Noah Kool |
| Chuave Open | James Nomane |
| Gumine Open | Dawa Dekena |
| Salt Nomane Karamui Open | Francis Yori Alua |
| Kerowagi Open | Francis Kikin Siune |
| Kundiawa-Gembogl Open | Dilu Muguwa |
| Sinasina-Yonggomugl Open | Kerenga Kua |