Wellington, New Zealand – New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday called for the release of a Kiwi pilot kidnapped six months ago by Papua separatists in Indonesia.
New Zealander Phillip Mehrtens was working for Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was snatched by rebels at Nduga airport in February.
“Phillip is a much-loved father, husband, brother and son,” New Zealand’s prime minister told reporters in Auckland.
“I want to urge, once again, those who are holding Phillip to release him immediately.
“There is absolutely no justification for taking hostages.
“The longer Phillip is held, the more risk there is to his well-being and the harder this becomes for him and for his family.”
Hipkins said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs was leading New Zealand’s response by working with the Indonesian authorities.
The premier also said he had spoken with Mehrtens’ family this week “to assure them that the government is doing all it can to bring Phillip home”.
“I acknowledge this is an incredibly challenging time for them,” he said.
“Phillip’s safety and well-being remains our top priority.”
The rebels who kidnapped Mehrtens are from insurgent group the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
They had previously demanded that Indonesia recognise Papuan independence in return for the New Zealander’s release.
According to the Indonesian army, armed separatists ambushed soldiers searching for Mehrtens in April, killing at least one.
Papua is a former Dutch colony that declared itself independent in 1961. But neighbouring Indonesia took control two years later, promising an independence referendum.
A subsequent vote in favour of staying part of Indonesia was widely considered a sham.