HE Mr Amris Hassan

Indonesia (Jakarta)

Chairman, PT Pelangi Niaga Mitra Internasional

Amris Hassan is a well-connected figure in Indonesia. In addition to serving as Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand (2006-2010), he has served in parliament (2004-2007) and as chairman of a family business (PT Pelangi Niaga Mitra Internasional, which provides offshore services to the oil and gas industries). He has also been a lecturer at the University of Indonesia, one of the top universities in his country.

As a former politician. he has excellent links at the political interface in Indonesia and across the party-political divide. He was a member of the PDIP (Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle), but was selected by the current president (Democratic Party) to serve as ambassador to New Zealand. In parliament, he was deputy chair of Commission 1, the group responsible for foreign affairs and defence. He hasn't ruled out returning to politics in the future.

As the former ambassador, he clearly knows New Zealand very well. His New Zealand connections are strong and he has continued to work closely with the country. He is chair of the Indonesia-New Zealand Friendship Council, launched in Jakarta in 2009.

As a businessman and academic, he has wider credentials that underpin his qualities as a key friend in Indonesia. During his time in New Zealand, he developed good connections across government and in the wider community.