Mr Latu was in Tonga with the New Zealand contingent, which included Deputy Chief of Navy Commodore Mathew Williams and the Royal New Zealand Navy Band.
The Tongans were aware that Mr Latu had been newly promoted to the position and after the New Zealand contingent had been past once to shake the King's hand, the King invited him back to talk to him.
Warrant Officer Latu said it was a surreal moment.
"That's when my palms really started to sweat," he said.
