The president is elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils.

In case of vacancy, the speaker of the Parliament will be the acting president of Vanuatu.

From 1906 to 1980 the resident commissioners of the New Hebrides were British and French colonial officials.

From 1887 to 1906 the New Hebrides was led by Anglo-French joint naval commissioners.

The current president is Nikenike Vurobaravu, since 23 July 2022.