nickname ‘Action Governor’ which has struck with him since. On 26 April 2001, Ipatas quit the United Resources Party to join ranks with the People's Democratic Movement Party led by Paias Wingti. Ipatas was re-elected to the 7th National Parliament for the same seat in the 2002 National General Elections as a People's Democratic Movement Candidate. He then joined then joined Papua New Guinea Party when party name changed from PDM to PNG Party in November 2003. Sir Peter announced his resignation from PNG Party to form his own party, People's Party, on 1 January 2006. After the party was formed, Ipatas was subsequently made the first Parliamentary Leader in May 2007 before the 2007 National General Elections. When the 2007 elections came, the people saw Ipatas as a visionary leader and returned him for a record third term. By now Ipatas had matured into a savvy and wily politician who realised that he could stand alone at a national level politics. Chief Ipatas was again elected to the 8th National Parliament for the same seat as a People's Party candidate. 'Ipatas was proving to be a king maker and a good man to have on side when he joined Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as a coalition partner and proved to be the antidote Somare needed to hold together his 27 members and so neutralise an uprising from within the National Alliance'. Ipatas was re-elected to the 9th National Parliament in the 2012 National General Elections for the same seat under the same party. Honours Ipatas was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, the "order of chivalry of British constitutional monarchy" which is rewarded to contributions to arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the Civil Service. He received the most senior title of which made him a knight. In 2015, Ipatas was knighted in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to the community in the fields of health, education and vocational training. Ipatas was also awarded the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu, the highest class, Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu which may be awarded to citizens of Papua New Guinea and others for service, achievement, and merit in the highest degree, sustained over a period of twenty years. This class may be awarded to no more than 50 living citizens where recipients are