New Zealand Pilot Freed After 19 Months in Papua Captivity

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens was finally freed after spending more than 19 months in the hands of separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region, as confirmed by officials on Saturday.
Mehrtens, who had been held since February 7, 2023, after landing his plane in the remote, mountainous Nduga region, appeared in good spirits at a press conference after speaking tearfully with his family on Indonesia’s Metro TV.
His rescue followed a coordinated effort by a joint Indonesian team, which managed to reach him in the Nduga area.
He was transferred to the care of New Zealand officials upon arriving in Jakarta. Despite significant weight loss, Mehrtens showed no signs of severe trauma, according to Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi.
Appearing at a press conference, he looked relieved and was seen emotionally speaking to his family by phone.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his gratitude on social media platform X following the release of Phillip Mehrtens. “My thanks to everyone in Indonesia and New Zealand who contributed to this positive outcome for Phillip and his family,” he said. Mehrtens’ family also shared their relief in a statement, saying they were “extremely grateful” and looking forward to reuniting with him soon.
Securing the New Zealand pilot’s release required extensive cooperation between New Zealand and Indonesian authorities. President Joko Widodo noted that the priority was always Mehrtens’ safety, which drove the patient negotiations.
Meanwhile, Papua’s conflict between separatists and Indonesian forces remains ongoing, and tensions have intensified. In a separate incident, another New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, tragically lost his life in August when rebels attacked his helicopter after it landed in a remote part of Central Papua.

The conflict in Indonesia’s Papua region is rooted in long-standing tensions between the indigenous Papuan population and the Indonesian government. After Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in the 1960s through a controversial referendum, many Papuans have sought independence, leading to an ongoing separatist movement. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has been involved in armed resistance, frequently clashing with Indonesian security forces. The region’s rich natural resources, particularly in mining, have intensified the conflict. Recent years have seen an escalation in violence, with attacks on military personnel and civilians becoming more frequent, as rebels gain access to better weaponry. The release of Mehrtens marks a significant success in a region where diplomatic solutions are often elusive.