A man of few words, with a long decorated political career of just over 20 years, the late Sir Mekere Morauta had contributed immensely to the growth and progress of Papua New Guinea before his passing and will be sadly missed by his political family circle and those who met him and came know him in person.
The late member for Moresby North-West Sir Mek died peacefully on Saturday in Brisbane, Australia after a long battle with cancer, according to a statement from his family.
He is survived by his wife Lady Roslyn and son James Morauta. Funeral arrangements will be made available at a later date.
Sir Mekere was born in 1946 in Kukipi, a coastal village east of Kerema in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea. He was educated at local primary schools, at Kerema High and at Sogeri National High. He went on to study at the University of Papua New Guinea, where he obtained a Bachelor of Economics in 1970. He was also an exchange student at Flinders University in South Australia.
In a statement from his family, Sir Mekere Morauta was the first graduate in Economics from the University of Papua New Guinea.
He became a Member of the Papua New Guinea National Parliament in 1997 as a member of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and was Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002. From 1997 to 2012 and 2017 to 2020 he held the seat of Moresby North-West in the national Parliament.
Prior to entering politics, Morauta was Secretary for Finance (1972-1982), Managing Director of the Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation (1983-1992), Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea (1993-1994), a company director and successful businessman.
As Prime Minister, Mekere Morauta is credited with initiating significant constitutional and economic reforms.
In 1999 the Papua New Guinea economy was on the brink, with government finances in disarray and a currency that was spiralling to inconvertibility. Morauta devised and led a rescue package, which stabilised the economy and the budget.
Key institutions of state were strengthened, and important reforms were introduced to the financial sector, especially in banking and superannuation, and to the structure and workings of the public sector. Constitutional changes were also introduced which brought stability to politics in Papua New Guinea and laid the foundation for the orderly development of political parties.
As Minister for Public Enterprises from 2011-2012, Morauta re-set the primary focus of the Independent Public Business Corporation, concentrating on strengthening it to undertake the important job of rehabilitating the state-owned enterprises.
After retiring from politics in August 2012, Sir Mekere was appointed by the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum as the Eminent Person to review the Pacific Plan. The report was published in 2013.
In 2012 he was also appointed Chairman of the Papua New Guinea Sustainable Development Program Company.
In 2017 he re-contested for Parliament and won the seat of Moresby North-West.
Sir Mekere was born in Kukipi Village, Malalaua District, East Gulf, to Morauta Hasu and Morikoai Elavo. His father, Morauta Hasu, was a leader of the Toaripi people of East Gulf, a Local Government Councillor, and Deacon of the London Missionary Society (later United Church).
He was prominent in the Cooperative Movement for the Toaripi Association.
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