Police said the fight, which began over a stolen pig, has resulted in five deaths, Radio New Zealand Pacific reported.

 

Jiwaka Provincial Police commander chief inspector Albert Korin said the fight started on January 4 after the Waka tribe accused the Wika tribe of stealing the animal. A fight broke out in which a man from the Waka tribe was killed.

 

The chief inspector said the Wika tribe refused to surrender the murder suspect, so the tribesman of the deceased attacked and killed four men from the Wika tribe.

 

Korin said police intervened and arranged a peace mediation team.

 

While the Waka tribe agreed to peace, the Wika tribe leadership wanted more time to consult its tribesmen.

 

Korin said he was confident that a date would be finalised for the signing of a peace agreement between the tribes.