Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announces plans for 19 new marine protection areas in the Hauraki Gulf. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has called again for the immediate release of Phillip Mehrtens, who has now been held hostage in West Papua for six months.
Speaking in Auckland, Hipkins said Mehrtens - a pilot who was helping provide air links to remote communities in Papua - is a much-loved husband, brother, father and son.
He said Mehrtens' safety was the top priority, and the six-month milestone would be a difficult time for the family.
"We will continue to do all we can to bring Phillip home," he said.
"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 wellbeing and the harder this becomes for him and for his family.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is leading our interagency response and I've been kept closely informed of developments over the last six months."
He said consular efforts included working closely with the Indonesian authorities and deploying New Zealand consular staff. The family was being supported by the ministry both in New Zealand and Indonesia, he said.
"I acknowledge this is an incredibly challenging time for them but they've continued to ask for their privacy and I thank people for respecting that."
Indonesian police say the NZ pilot taken hostage by rebels in February was in good health and negotiations for his safe release were ongoing.
Jubi reported Papua Police chief Mathius Fakhiri on Monday saying Mehrtens remained in good health, but did not expand on how he came by that information.
Fakhiri said the security forces were actively closing in on the TPNPB faction led by Egianus Kogoya and were engaged in negotiations to secure the prompt release of the pilot.
"We are currently awaiting further developments as we work to restrict the movement of Egianus Kogoya's group. The pilot's overall condition is healthy," Fakhiri said on Monday.
Tempo reported Fakhiri as saying the local government was allowing community and church leaders and family members to take the lead on negotiating with Kogoya, the rebel leader holding Mehrtens.
"Our primary concern is the safe rescue of Captain Phillip. This is why we are prioritising all available resources to aid the security forces in negotiations, ultimately leading to the pilot's safe return without exacerbating the situation," Fakhiri said.
