New Zealand peacekeeping troops will stay in Timor Leste for as long as necessary, the new defence minister says.
Wayne Mapp made the announcement at Ohakea Air Base on Thursday morning as the latest troop contingent left on a six month tour of duty in the fledgling nation.
Mapp says New Zealand's military-related work in Timor Leste and the South Pacific is one of the most important things the country is involved in.
Mapp and Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy joined families and well-wishers at Ohakea to farewell 149 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel bound for Timor Leste.
Nearly 30 of the deployed soldiers are Territorial Force (TF).
Mapp said he was delighted their first official act as Minister and Associate Minister was to meet some of the Kiwi service personnel heading off to advance the cause of peace and security.
"I believe the high standards and levels of integrity that our Defence Force men and women conduct themselves with are a credit to all New Zealanders," the ex-Territorial Force Officer said.
The sixth rotation of Kiwi troops to serve in Timor-Leste since May 2006 is drawn mainly from the Linton-based 2nd Land Force Group, and their regular tasks in theatre will include carrying out patrols, liaising with locals and providing assistance to United Nations police.
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