Former NZ Governor General Appointed to Troubleshoot Pacific Island’s Path to Independence

The Pacific Island of Bougainville continues its push for independence.

Former New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sir Jerry Mateparae, addresses guests at the Muslim Aid parliamentary reception at House of Commons in London, England on April 3, 2019. Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Nearly five years after 97 percent of the roughly 300,000 residents of Bougainville voted for independence from Papua New Guinea (PNG), little progress has been made in implementing their will.

For that to happen, the referendum result requires ratification by the PNG Parliament, and there appears to be little appetite for doing so.