Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy sign the banner/quilt that will be displayed at Kiwi Lines in Timor-Leste. (OH08-0821-01)
20 November 2008
New Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy joined families and well-wishers today at Ohakea Air Force Base to farewell 149 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel bound for a six month tour of duty in Timor-Leste.
Almost 30 of the deployed soldiers are Territorial Force (TF).
Dr Mapp said he was delighted that their first official act as Minister and Associate Minister was to meet some of the Kiwi service personnel who were 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 former 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.
ENDS
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy sign the banner/quilt that will be displayed at Kiwi Lines in Timor-Leste.
Note: New Zealand Defence Force’s commitment to Timor-Leste at present also includes two Military Liaison Officers serving with the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and five advisors to the Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL).
New Zealand is a valued partner in United Nations peacekeeping efforts and has contributed to various UN missions in Timor-Leste since 1999.
There are currently 644 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed on 14 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.
For further information please contact Nicole Munro-Johnson, 021 569 148 or 04 529 6033.