 The New Guinea Mainland seat was contested by former MLC Sydney Barker (a dentist and miner from Wau), Paul Hymna (an accountant from Lae), Lloyd Hurrell (a farmer in Wau) and Keith Watkins (a trader from Lae).In the sole contested constituency, voter turnout was around 38%.Reuben Taureka was appointed as an official member, replacing the Director of Native Affairs, becoming the first official indigenous member.