Prior to this role, Hobbs has been the country's trade commissioner in New Delhi and international market manager for Australia Pacific.
Key said PNG was the largest economy in the region and NZ's second largest trading partner in the Pacific; and that the re-establishment of a trade commissioner position in PNG reflected the strong interest by New Zealand companies in the Papua New Guinea market.
"The opportunities in Papua New Guinea are significant and we hope that with the support of NZTE more New Zealand businesses will take up the challenge of doing business here," Key said.
"Having a Trade Commissioner on the ground in Papua New Guinea will be particularly important in the lead up to APEC in 2018 which Papua New Guinea is hosting."
