The colonial administration and governance systems that contributed to the establishment of Papua New Guinea (PNG) were primarily influenced by the activities of several colonial powers, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
One illustrative example is the German colonial administration in the northeastern parts of New Guinea. In the late 19th century, Germany claimed the northern part of New Guinea as part of its colonial empire, establishing German New Guinea in 1884. The governance system implemented by the Germans involved a centralized administration that focused on extracting natural resources, including copra and latex, and involved significant investment in infrastructure, including roads and telecommunication systems. The German administration also imposed taxes and recruited local labor for plantations, which had lasting impacts on the local economy and society.
After World War I, the League of Nations mandated the administration of German New Guinea to Australia, which began exercising its own form of colonial governance. The Australian mandate (1920-1949) implemented more structured administrative frameworks, promoting a combination of direct and indirect rule. While Australia continued to exploit the natural resources of Papua New Guinea, it also initiated some social service programs, including education and health care, largely aimed at integrating the local population into the colonial economy.
This colonial governance system laid the groundwork for the eventual political development and nationhood of Papua New Guinea. Local administrative structures established during this period evolved into the basis for the country's governance system after gaining independence in 1975. The historical legacy of colonialism in governance, economic structures, and social dynamics continues to influence the modern state of Papua New Guinea.