Concerns for NZ hostage as conflict escalates in West Papua

There are renewed concerns for the safety of New Zealand hostage Phillip Mehrtens in West Papua as fighting between Indonesian security forces and his captors the West Papua Liberation Army intensify.

New Zealand’s prime minister Chris Hipkins has received reports of the increased military confrontations and is again calling on the Papuan separatist group to release Mr Mehrtens condemning the use of hostages to make a political point.

Koroi Hawkins has more.

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