A New Zealand pilot taken hostage by separatist rebels in Indonesia has been pictured alive in images released by the group.

Phillip Mark Mehrtens was captured last week by the West Papua Liberation Army after its fighters stormed his plane.

He was due to pick up 15 construction workers who had been threatened with death while building a health centre in the remote Nduga district.

“Our plan to evacuate the workers angered the rebels, who responded by setting fire to the plane and seizing the pilot,” said district chief Namia Gwijangge – one of five people on board when the plane landed.

The passengers were released because they are indigenous Papuans, said rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom.

However, Mr Mehrtens – who’s from Christchurch but works for Indonesian firm Susi Air – was taken hostage.

Photos and video released on Tuesday showed the rebels burning the single-engine plane and the pilot in a forest surrounded by people with guns, spears and bow and arrows.

“I took him hostage for Papua independence, not for food or drinks,” rebel leader Egianus Kogoya said in one video – with Mr Mehrtens standing next to him.

“He will be safe with me as long as Indonesia does not use its arms, either from the air or on the ground.”

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Police said they were trying to involve tribal and community leaders, as well as church figures, in an effort to free Mr Mehrtens.

An Indonesian minister said they were also involved in negotiations but warned that “the government does not rule out other efforts”.

“Papua will forever remain a legitimate part of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia,” said Mohammad Mahfud, the minister for political, security and legal affairs.

New Zealand’s foreign affairs department said it was aware of the photos and video but wouldn’t be commenting.

The construction workers, who were from other parts of Indonesia, were rescued by security forces on 8 February after taking refuge in a priest’s house when the rebels threatened them.

Separatists in Papua often believe outsiders are spies for the government.

The province is an impoverished area in the far east of the country and shares a border with Papua New Guinea.

It became part of Indonesia in a controversial 1969 vote and there has been a low-level insurgency ever since, with frequent clashes between indigenous people and security forces.

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