John Guise

Who was John Guise?

Sir John Guise, GCMG, KBE was the first Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, which gained independence from Australia in 1975. Dr. Guise was a Papua New Guinean and was a vocal supporter for independence.

In 1958 Guise became the president of the Port Moresby Mixed Race Association. He served in the Department of Native Affairs during the 1950s, and served in the East Papua Legislative Council from 1961 to 1963. In 1964, he was elected to the House of Assembly, and went on to serve as acting Speaker of the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea from 1973 to 1975.

Guise served as Governor General of Papua New Guinea for 2 years. He resigned as Governor General to contest the 1977 election against Michael Somare, where he was defeated. He remained politically active and considered as a potential leader during the civil unrest after his term in office. Guise died on 7 February 1991. After his death, a sports stadium was named in his honour.

He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1972, made a Knight Commander of the order on 6 June 1975, and appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George on 16 September 1975.