HMNZS Canterbury, pictured with Atafu atoll in the background. Photo: © Crown Copyright 2020, New Zealand Defence Force. Licenced under Creative Commons BY 4.0.
The New Zealand Defence Force ship HMNZS Canterbury has arrived in Fiji with nearly 300 personnel, for training for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support in the Pacific.
The Defence Force is also there to provide support to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces' training objectives.
Over the next two weeks the Royal New Zealand Air Force No.3 Squadron will practise flying NH-90 and A-109 helicopters from both the ship at sea and from land in a tropical environment.
Air Force No. 230 Squadron will establish high frequency communications sites, and NZ Army personnel will test amphibious landing capabilities.
Papua - hostage
The chair of the political arm of the West Papua independence movement says it is prepared to negotiate with the government of Indonesia and the West Papua Liberation Army for the safe release of New Zealand hostage Philip Mehrtens.
In a signed statement received by RNZ Pacific, Jeffery Bomanak urged Indonesia not to launch a military operation of any kind that could further endanger the life of the pilot.
Mehrtens, a pilot with Susi Air, was taken hostage on February 7 after landing in the remote region of Nduga.
Up until now the West Papua Liberation Army has refused to negotiate with Indonesia but instead demanded to engage directly with New Zealand.
But Bomanak said they are now seeking a peaceful resolution to the situation.
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