Paulias Matane

Infobox Governor
honorific-prefix = The Right Honourable Grand Chief
name = Sir Paulias Nguna Matane
honorific-suffix =
GCL GCMG OBE KStJ


caption = At the Ramoaaina NT Dedication at Molot Village Duke of York
order = Governor General of Papua New Guinea
monarch = Elizabeth II
primeminister = Michael Somare
term_start = 29 June 2004
predecessor = Jeffrey Nape (Acting)
successor =
birth_date = 1931
birth_place =
death_date =
death_place =
spouse = Lady Kaludia MataneGrand Chief Sir Paulias Nguna Matane GCL, GCMG, OBE, KStJ (born 1931), formerly a career civil servant, became Governor-General of Papua New Guinea from June 29 2004.

He was elected by Parliament on May 27, 2004, receiving 50 votes, while his opponent, Sir Pato Kakeraya received 46 votes. Attempts to elect a governor-general had failed repeatedly for six months before Grand Chief the Right Honourable Sir Paulias Matane's election because of constitutional flaws in the nomination process. Following Matane's election, Kakaraya brought a petition to the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea, seeking to invalidate the election. ["Further hold-up in finalizing PNG governor-general appointment", "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier" web site (nl.newsbank.com), May 31, 2004.] Matane was sworn in on June 29 2004, although the legal challenge to his election was still ongoing. ["Papua New Guinea governor-general sworn in, legal challenge continues", Radio Australia (nl.newsbank.com), June 29, 2004.] He was officially invested as Governor-General by Queen Elizabeth II on October 13 2004. ["New Papua New Guinea governor-general officially invested by the Queen", "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier" web site (nl.newsbank.com), October 15, 2004.]

Matane is a Tolai, from East New Britain Province, a native speaker of Kuanua and a staunch United Churchman. He has written many books in deliberately extremely simple English, focusing in part on his own overseas travels, intended to persuade Papua New Guineans that books are a useful source of information and that they should not regard them as something only for foreigners. Grand Chief the Right Honourable Sir Paulias Matane takes a firm line on expatriates, especially those of European descent.

For many years Matane wrote a column in the Malaysian-owned newspaper "The National", containing the advice of an elder to the younger generation. He also founded United News Agency of Melanesia. He, together with Michael Somare, makes a point of wearing a laplap (a type of skirt) rather than trousers. His wife, now Lady Matane, is invariably referred to in accordance with Papua New Guinea practice as Lady Kanudia, her given name.

References

Persondata
NAME=Matane, Paulias
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Paulias Nguna Matane
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Governor-General of Papua New Guinea
DATE OF BIRTH=1931
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=