Timor Tales : 25 Years on from Interfet

Nestled in a clearing in the hills of Timor-Leste, close to the Indonesian border, is a small memorial marking the place where a young New Zealand soldier was shot and killed 25 years ago. Surrounded by lush, tropical bush and snake-like vines, the plaque and wooden cross are being tended to by a couple of Kiwi soldiers who’ve made the two day pilgrimage across the island from the capital Dili, to pay their respects.

New Zealand Army Private Leonard Manning was shot dead in an ambush by pro-Indonesian militia on the 24th of July 2000. He was out on patrol with his unit, who were part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in East Timor.

 Manning was New Zealand’s first combat fatality since Vietnam.

 The 24 year old is one of five* New Zealand servicemen who lost their lives in Timor-Leste during its fight for independence. There are several memorials in the region honouring their service. Every year their lives are remembered, not just by the Kiwis who live here, but by the local Timorese people. 

 These are the ties that bind our two countries, and their service to this small island nation is never forgotten.

New Zealand troops board a UN chopper at the NZDF base at Belulik Leten during Interfet operations / image supplied

 By Our Actions We Are Known

 From 1999 to 2002 and then again in 2006-2012 around 7000 New Zealanders were deployed to Timor-Leste helping the country transition to independence.

 Fast forward a quarter of a century and the now peaceful nation is a beacon of hope. Despite suffering from the horrors of occupation; executions, torture, deliberate starvation—the country has maintained a peace and stability so many other nations could only hope for. 

 It has a democratically elected government with many of those in power the very people who took up arms and fought for freedom. They now work alongside their former occupiers.

 Timor-Leste no longer needs a multinational force to protect it, but a New Zealand military presence remains here, providing advice, training, education and opportunities to the local defence force Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) through the Mutual Assistance Programme.

 While the physical contribution may be light on the ground - a team of just two - they’re instrumental in keeping the friendship, trust and support alive.

 Chief of Army, Major General Rose King made a brief visit to Dili in June.  She says the ties between our countries will likely become even stronger. “The relationship is arguably more important than it has ever been as we continue to see an increasingly contested region across the Indo-Pacific.”

Major General Rose King in Dili earlier this year / image NZDF

 She adds the value of having well-established and genuine relationships in place is vital for to maintaining stability and peace. 

 It was MAJGEN King’s first visit to Timor-Leste where she was impressed to hear and see evidence of the progress the F-FDTL has achieved in a relatively short time.

Lt Col Chris Powell and Warrant Officer Phil Smith at the memorial to Pvt Leonard Manning in Timor Leste/ image supplied

 “Being briefed on their aspirations of where they see themselves going was really inspiring. I think there are definitely opportunities for us to continue and deepen our partnership – be that through joint exercises, further exchanges of personnel and staff both in Timor-Leste and back in New Zealand, or just through maintaining honest and open dialogue about our shared challenges, successes and aspirations.”

 More than Military

 New Zealand’s involvement in Timor-Leste is more than defence. When you know where to look the impact New Zealand is having on the locals is easy to spot.  From the friendly shouts of ‘Kia Ora Kiwi’ to the first-hand accounts of local Timorese who’ve had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand learning skills, language, and how to grow a business. 

The New Zealand Government provides around NZ$21 million in development every year, the largest development programme outside of the Pacific. 

The primary focus is on early childhood and tertiary education, and short term professional training, extending to community policing and helping to build sustainable incomes through agriculture and tourism. 

 New Zealand Ambassador Helen Tunnah says New Zealand’s contribution is notable. “Since 2014, the early childhood education support has contributed to a 25 percent increase in preschool enrollments and strengthened access to quality early childhood education.”

New Zealand has also been helping communities with agricultural practices like fish farming, crop diversification, and growing coffee, helping to improve the quality and quantity of yields.

In 2024, Timor‑Leste’s overseas earnings from coffee exports (as its top non‑oil export) were approximately US $21 million, marking a 21.7% increase from the previous year. Image/ supplied

In addition to that, the NZ Government’s Manaaki scholarship programme is expanding from 12 to 32 Timorese recipients a year. The scholarships provide an opportunity for students to come to New Zealand and study in a number of areas. 

Opening doors to Timor-Leste

Later this year Timorese will also be coming to New Zealand to work under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

 The scheme is expected to begin with a pilot programme in horticulture and viticulture by the end of the year.

 It’s being keenly welcomed by many locals here in Dili, where the average wage sits between US$150-250 per month, but where a fifth of people survive on just US$15 per month.

Timor-Leste has been involved in labour mobility programmes since independence, first with South Korea and then Australia.  It was something President José Ramos-Horta personally advocated for. In the early days a small group of just 50 workers travelled to Seoul, now more than 50,000 head to the country every year working in agriculture, fisheries and construction.  They make on average US$2000 a month, with meals and accommodation included.  

Anna Thomas meets with Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta/ image supplied.

During a recent chat with President Ramos-Horta, I asked if he was concerned about ‘exporting his people’.  The answer was an unequivocal ‘no’, giving me three reasons why:

 “The first is we have a zero economy to speak of, no one has money, and what they earn can support their families. The second is they will learn new work habits, work ethics, discipline, and when they come back they will help their country. And lastly,’ he added, ‘if New Zealand treats them well, they become a ‘goodwill’ ambassador.”

His arguments are supported by a local woman I have come to know here in Dili.  A mother of two young boys, she tells me it is the only opportunity for her to get ahead. 

A few years ago she worked picking fruit in Australia for six months, so she knows it is hard, physical work. She tells me, with tears in her eyes, that she’s desperate to be accepted onto the New Zealand scheme, as the extra money she’ll earn will help pay for her sons’ education. There are so many locals like her.

 Serving Others

 It’s also worth mentioning, that while they may only number five, the Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) team also makes a significant contribution to education and tourism development in Timor-Leste.  In fact when you search up ‘What To Do in Timor-Leste’ you’re likely to see one of the many articles, photos or videos one of the VSA vounteers produced during his time on the island.  Jonty Crane was a prolific traveller, seemingly covering every corner of the country by scooter, bus, microlet and on foot.

While the number of New Zealanders here in this small island nation may be small, the impact they make proves that size really doesn’t matter.

 Five NZDF members lost their lives in Timor-Leste:

- November 1999: Warrant Officer Tony Michael Walser, 37, died when the road collapsed under the truck he was driving in Suai.

- April 2000: Staff Sergeant William Edward White, 37, died when the truck he was in plunged down a 30m bluff in Suai.

- July 2000: Private Leonard William Manning, 24, was shot by pro-Indonesian militia near Suai.

- March 2001: Private Boyd Reagan Henare Atkins, a 19-year-old infantry soldier, died in a swimming accident while at a military recreation centre near Dili.

- July 2002: Private Dean Russell Johnston, a 20-year-old movements operator, was found dead near his Dili barracks. There were no suspicious circumstances.

 Asia Media Centre