Bernard Narakobi, a former Cabinet Minister, Speaker of the Papua New Guinea Parliament and High Commissioner to New Zealand died earlier this week after a brief illness.
He was 73.
Mr Narakobi, who grew up in East Sepik, at one stage had Sir Michael Somare as his teacher.
Sir Michael, the founding and current Prime Minister, praised Mr Narakobi's service to PNG.
He says Mr Narakobi, a qualified lawyer, dedicated his whole life to the development of a legal regime that incorporated Melanesian Values.
