The Government says New Zealand will maintain its police presence in East Timor, even if the United Nations scales back its police mission there.
The UN could halve its presence from its current level of 1500 officers, which includes 10 from New Zealand.
But Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says a request by East Timor for New Zealand officers to remain has been approved in principle, even though it will mean the cost falls on New Zealand, rather than the UN.
