UPNG Political Science academic *Patrick Kaiku, who is also a New Irelander, says maimai (chief) is a specific leadership title of the people of Tikana or generally, the Kavieng area.
“There are rituals, usually connected to the Malagan ceremonies that are specific to this leadership style of the Tikana clans.
“The Namatanais have their own indigenous names for leadership titles – I believe kabasit is the title. In New Hanover we have the Passingan title, and so on and so forth.”