Tim Anderson is New Zealand's new trade commissioner to Indonesia.

His appointment was confirmed by Prime Minister John Key at a speech at the Indonesian Forum in Auckland this afternoon.

Previously, a trade commissioner based in Kuala Lumpur covered Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

Mr Key says given New Zealand's growing relationship with Indonesia it was important to have a trade commissioner based full-time in the capital, Jakarta.

"His appointment is a clear sign that the government wants to step up our trade engagement with Indonesia, building on the ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand free trade agreement."

Mr Anderson, who is fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, is a former business adviser in Indonesia, and is involved in the friendship council between the two countries.