Who was Sir Koitaga Mano?
He was one of the last-surviving members of the First House of Assembly in 1964. Sir Koitaga Mano, who served three terms from 1964-1977, died recently (March 2016) at the Kudjip General Hospital in Jiwaka province.
- Sir Koitaga started work with the colonial government in 1953 as an interpreter.
- He was a member of the First House of Assembly in 1964-1968 representing Tambul-Nebilyer, Ialibu, Upper Mendi and Kandep, as well as the Second House of Assembly from 1968-1972.
- Sir Kotaga retained his seat in 1972, and at the time of Independence in 1975, became an MP in the First Parliament until 1977.
- He was council president for Mt Giluwe from 1985-1988, and vice-president from 1988-1995
- Sir Kotaga was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2002.
- In 2008 he was awarded a knighthood.