WELLINGTON — New Zealand is committed to working closely with Timor-Leste to support its prosperity and resilience, as this year marks the 25th anniversary of New Zealand sending peacekeepers to Timor-Leste, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Thursday.

New Zealand has remained a close friend and partner of Timor-Leste for 25 years, and "continues to find ways to seriously promote security and prosperity in the country," said Peters, also deputy prime minister, while visiting the Timorese capital of Dili.

Timor-Leste is the final of Peters' four-country trip to Southeast Asia, following Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines

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The visit was the first trip made by a New Zealand foreign minister in a decade.

"As our relationship matures, we look forward to deepening our commitment to the country's future prosperity and security," said Peters who announced in Dili investments by New Zealand in climate change adaptation and English language training.

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Timor-Leste is the final of Peters' four-country trip to Southeast Asia, following Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.