7 Feb 2024

One year since NZ pilot taken hostage in West Papua

From Morning Report, 7:36 am on 7 February 2024

Wednesday marks one year since New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens was taken hostage in West Papua.

Phillip Mehrtens, from Christchurch, was working for Indonesian airline Susi Air, when he landed his small plane on a remote airstrip in Highland Papua.

He was taken by rebels from the West Papua National Liberation Army who claimed he had entered a no-fly-zone.

Caleb Fotheringham reports.