TONGA'S Foreign Affairs offices underwent a reshuffle in the New Year with Mahe'uli'uli Tupounia becoming the new Secretary for Foreign Affairs in Nuku'alofa on January 4.

Mahe takes was previously Tonga's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China from 2009-10. The Foreign Affairs office in Nuku'alofa said Mahe joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1990 and has served at various Tongan missions abroad including San Francisco, London, New York.

He replaces former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Va'inga Tone who was appointed as Lord Privy Seal effective on January 4.

Va'inga who served 11 years in Foreign Affairs takes up the new position from Sela Tukia formerly the Chief Protocol and Lord Privy Seal, who has been posted as Tonga's Consul at the Consulate General in San Francisco.

Meanwhile, HE Siamelie Latu a former Colonel in the Tonga Defence Service has become Tonga's new Ambassador to China.