Papuan rebels release video of New Zealand pilot kidnapped for over a year. The kidnappers, who are demanding the opening of negotiations on the independence of West New Guinea, indicated that Phillip Mehrtens would be “released soon” In the video filmed on December 22, for his family, the former pilot of the Australian company Jetstar explains that he is “treated well” and that he “tries to stay positive” “I love you both very much, I miss you very much and I hope to be able to talk to you soon,” says the 37-year-old man, in the video broadcast on February 7.