Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, who had been taken hostage in Papua, Indonesia, is now safe.

Mehrtens was kidnapped on 7 February 2023 by an armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), led by Egianus Kogoya, after landing a small commercial plane in the remote, mountainous area of Nduga.

“We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family.

“This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones,” Peters said.

Peters added that over the past 19 and a half months, various Government agencies had been working with Indonesian authorities and others to secure Mehrtens’ release.

The chief of Cartenz 2024 Peace Operations, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, had said during the efforts, “We are prioritising approach through religious leaders, church leaders, traditional leaders, and Egianus Kogoya’s close family to minimise casualties and maintain the safety of the pilot.”

According to the local police, Mehrtens was freed and picked up by a joint team in Nduga Regency and is currently undergoing health check-ups and a physiological examination in Timika Regency.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with staff in both Indonesia and Wellington, has led a sustained whole-of-Government effort to secure Phillip Mehrtens’ release and has also been supporting his family,” Peters said.

Peters said  “The case has taken a toll on the Mehrtens family, who have asked for privacy. We ask media outlets to respect their wishes, and therefore, we have no further comment at this stage.”