New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed after over 18 months in captivity by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Indonesia’s Papua region. Mehrtens, kidnapped on February 7, 2023, was held to pressure New Zealand into lobbying for Papua’s secession from Indonesia. He expressed gratitude and relief at a press conference in Timika, Indonesia. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed Mehrtens’ safety and praised the government’s efforts. The TPNPB, designated a terrorist organization by Indonesia, has a history of taking hostages to further its cause.