A fresh deployment of New Zealand troops leaves from Ohakea air base for East Timor on Thursday.
It is the sixth rotation of New Zealand soldiers to East Timor since May 2006.
The deployment follows a decision by Australia to withdraw 100 troops.
Numbers were bolstered in February following an attack on East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta by rebels.
Australia's Foreign Ministry continues to describe East Timor as "fragile".
