An Australia-based New Zealander who was held hostage in Papua New Guinea has been released.
Two Papua New Guinea citizens being held hostage were also released, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesperson said.
"We can confirm the release of three hostages in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, an Australian-resident New Zealander and two Papua New Guinea citizens, and that they are now in a safe location," the spokesperson said.
"We are extremely pleased that the hostage situation is resolved and we are relieved for the hostages and their whānau.
"We thank the Government of Papua New Guinea for its leadership in securing the hostages' release. In the spirit of cooperation amongst Pacific whānau, we have worked closely with the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia on this issue."
For privacy reasons, the spokesperson said they wouldn't be commenting further.
Announcing the hostages' release in a Facebook post, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape thanked police, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, other leaders in the country, and communities for their help.
"We apologise to the families of those taken as hostages for ransom, it took us a while but the last three has been successfully returned through covert operations," he said.
"To criminals, there is no profit in crime. We thank God that life was protected."
Marape also shared a photo of two of the hostages, one of whom is Professor Bryce Barker.
Other media reports have named Prof Barker as the Australia-based New Zealander who was held hostage. ABC news reported he and his colleagues were in Papua New Guinea studying human migration from there into Australia when a gang from Komo, in Hela Province, took them and demanded ransom for their freedom.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Twitter that New Zealand "welcome the safe release" of the hostages.
Also welcoming the release of the hostages was Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong.
"Thank you to PNG's government for its leadership in securing a safe and peaceful resolution," she tweeted.
"Also thanks to the Australian and NZ officials who helped support this outcome."
