Elias Kapavore (born 25 May 1970) is a Papua New Guinean politician. He has been a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea since May 2015, representing the electorate of Pomio Open in East New Britain Province.[1] [2]
Kapavore, from Paka village in the West Pomio/Mamusi area, was educated at Pokapun Primary School, Palmalud High School and Divine Word University, receiving a management degree and a double masters in public and business administration. He was the chief executive officer of the Vanimo Hospital and the West Sepik Provincial Health Authority prior to entering politics.[3] [4]
Nominating as an independent, Kapavore won a May 2015 by-election for the Pomio Open seat following the conviction and imprisonment of the seat's former MP, Paul Tiensten.[5] He joined the governing People's National Congress upon his election, and declared his priority as being to "deliver roads and bridges which will connect Pomio to Kokopo".[6] In November 2015, he raised concerns about environmental damage caused by Niugini Gold Limited's Sinivit Mine.[7]