Papua New Guinea · Head of government

James Marape

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

Office

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

In office since

30 May 2019

Party

Pangu Pati

How Marape took office

Parliament elected Marape Prime Minister on 30 May 2019 by 101 votes to 8, defeating former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta, after Peter O'Neill resigned, RNZ and Al Jazeera reported. The UN protocol list dated 20 October 2026 names him as Prime Minister.^2,3,1

Career

1. Member of Parliament for Tari-Pori, re-elected in the 2017 general election^2,3,4
2. to April 2019Minister for Finance, resigned in April 2019^2,3
3. 30 May 2019 to presentPrime Minister of Papua New Guinea^2,3,4,1

Education

• University of Papua New Guinea, completed in 1993 and again in 2000⁴

Notable facts

• After the 2022 general election, Parliament elected him Prime Minister unopposed, with 97 MPs, the PNG Post-Courier reported.⁵

Career facts only, from official biographies and reputable news reports. Checked 28 October 2026. Office holders change: see the sources for the latest.

Sources

1. United Nations Protocol and Liaison Service, Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs (list dated 20 October 2026) (20 October 2026)
2. RNZ, James Marape elected as PNG prime minister (30 May 2019)
3. Al Jazeera, James Marape elected new Papua New Guinea prime minister (30 May 2019)
4. National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, Hon. James Marape, MP, Tari-Pori Open (28 October 2026)
5. PNG Post-Courier via Asia Pacific Report, Marape continues his leadership in PNG with unanimous majority (PNG Post-Courier via Asia Pacific Report) (10 August 2022)