On Monday June 4, the New Zealand Government officially announced Mr. Elhamy El Zayat, Chairman of Emeco Travel, was appointed by Her Majesty the Queen as Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Mr. El Zayat served as New Zealand�s Honorary Consul General in Egypt, between 1999 and 2006. His term came to an end when the New Zealand embassy was established last year.

As Honorary Consul General, Mr. El Zayat provided consular services to New Zealand citizens and used his extensive network of high-level contacts to further New Zealand interests in Egypt and strengthens cooperation between the two countries.

New Zealand Governor General Anand Satyanand PCNZM QSO informed Mr. El Zayat of his appointment prior to the public announcement and expressed sincere congratulations.

In a letter to Mr. El Zayat, Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark personally thanked him for all he had done to represent New Zealand. Reflecting on Mr. El Zayat`s efforts, New Zealand`s Ambassador to Egypt, Rene Wilson said ‘Elhamy is a valued friend whose wise and helpful guidance has been highly appreciated’

 According to the Ambassador, “New Zealand had no truer friend”.

A date for when Prime Minister Clark will present Mr. El Zayat with the award will be set in the coming months.