New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today 6 March officially announced diplomat Ms Tiffany Babington as New Zealand’s new High Commissioner to Tonga.

Babington assumes office from Ms Sarah Walsh who completed her posting as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Tonga in December last year.

Winston Peters said in a statement “New Zealand has a strong relationship with Tonga, based on a population of more than 60,000 Tongans resident in New Zealand, development cooperation and our shared interest in regional issues.”

“Cooperation between our countries has been clearly demonstrated in recent days with our support to the Tongan Government following Tropical Cyclone Gita.”

“Ms Babington will lead the delivery of New Zealand’s Official Development Assistance programme in Tonga, helping to oversee $66 million of investment over three years focused on energy, policing, justice and education.”

Ms Babington’s experience includes previous postings to Vanuatu and Italy.