Moi Avei KBE (born 24 October 1946) is a Papua New Guinean politician. He was a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea from 1992 to 2007, representing the Kairuku-Hiri electorate. He was Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2004 to 2006 under Michael Somare.
Avei was born in Boera village in Kairuku-Hiri District and was educated at Ipswich Grammar School and the University of Queensland in Australia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work. He was variously PNG's Director of Child Welfare, a political advisor (at various times to Michael Somare, Akoka Doi, and the opposition as a whole), a businessman, and a consultant before entering politics. Aside from his stint as Deputy Prime Minister, Avei also served in a number of ministerial portfolios, including Higher Education, Science and Technology, National Planning, Bougainville Affairs and Petroleum and Energy.[1] [2] In 2006, he was suspended over misconduct allegations.[3] He later went on to a business career, serving in a number of capacities, including Chairman of Ok Tedi Mining Limited (since 2014) and Director of Bougainville Copper (since 2016).
Avei was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 2002 New Year Honours