AUCKLAND (Māori Television/Pacific Media Watch): While New Zealand agonises over whether or not it should change its flag, spare a thought for those who have a real problem with theirs.
In the Indonesian province of West Papua, indigenous Papuans have been arrested and killed for raising their flag, the Morning Star, seen by some as a symbol of independence.
However, Native Affairs producer and cameraman Adrian Stevanon, along with journalist Karen Abplanap, recently travelled to West Papua to speak to the indigenous people about their lives.
It is the first time in 50 years a New Zealand television crew has been allowed into the province. Here is their special report.
A warning: Some of the images in this report you may find disturbing.
The Native Affairs team travelled to West Papua with the assistance of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
West Papua is one of the most culturally diverse populations on the planet, with its indigenous population speaking over 275 different languages.
Native Affairs producer and camera man Adrian Stevanon was in the Melanesian province last month and found a people fighting to hold on to traditions.
This second part also looks at the NZ aid-supported Yapum Project in Baliem.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence.
Pacific Media Watch
