The East Timor Medal was instituted in 2001 to recognise New Zealand personnel (both military and non military) who served in East Timor from the commencement of the New Zealand involvement in June 1999 until 27 April 2006.This campaign medal is unique in that it has been awarded to civilians from more than a dozen New Zealand government, philanthropic, or commercial organisations.
New Zealanders in East Timor / Timor-Leste have served with four United Nations missions and with the Australian led International Force East Timor INTERFET (for which a separate medal has been struck).