8 Feb 2023

NZ pilot taken hostage in Indonesia

From Morning Report, 7:26 am on 8 February 2023

A New Zealand pilot has been taken hostage by separatist fighters in Indonesia's Papua region.

Reuters has named him as Phillip Mehrtens.

The  West Papua National Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack will not be released until the Indonesian government acknowledged the independence of West Papua.

Kate Green has been talking with a former pilot, who worked for Susi Air.