Events to raise West Papua flag take place across Pacific

Events are taking place today around the region to mark the 60th anniversary of when West Papuans first raised their nationalist flag.

The Morning Star was raised alongside the Netherlands flag in 1961 as the former Dutch New Guinea was being prepared for independence.

But Indonesia soon took control of Papua, and the Morning Star flag is now banned by local authorities.

A lecturer in Pacific Studies at Victoria University, Dr Emalani Case, said it's important to raise the flag in solidarity with West Papuans

"And in the ongoing effort to have independence and self-determination. So yeah, its a big day. And I think for us living here in Aotearoa, we have the opportunity and the privilege of being able to raise a flag without being punished for it, I see it as a responsibility to be part of that."

She said it's also important to reflect on the role other countries played in West Papua's troubled modern history since the 1960s.

"I mean of course Indonesia in denying independence, but other countries as well, like the United States, the role that these nations have played in basically stealing sovereignty and self-determination from West Papuans.

We also have to be aware of New Zealand's role and New Zealand's responsibility to be a regional partner," Dr Case said.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's military has boosted its forces in Papua in anticipation of the annual rallies.