The navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui ran aground on a reef off the south coast of Upolu and then sank a year ago. Photo credit: Profile Boats/supplied.
Source: RNZ Pacific
The New Zealand Government has paid $6 million in compensation to Samoa, to mark one year since the grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui.
On October 6, 2024, the vessel ran aground on a reef off the South Coast of Upolu, and then sank.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the payment – worth 10 million Samoan tālā – followed a request from the Samoan Government, and has been made in full and in good faith.
“We have always said we will do the right thing,” Minister Peters says.
“We recognise the impact the sinking has had on local communities and acknowledge the disruption it caused.”
Village elders have told RNZ Pacific the once-rich fishing grounds have been destroyed, and they want the wreck removed.
Minister Peters says the two governments are continuing to work together on decisions around the ship and its future, with minimising any possible environmental impacts and supporting the response the top priorities.
Results of an inquiry released in April found the ship’s crew was undertrained and the vessel was not up to the task.
All 75 passengers and crew survived.
An investigation into whether there will be any disciplinary proceedings is in its closing stages.
Captain Rodger Ward, lead of the HMNZS Manawanui response, says much work had been carried out in the past 12 months to minimise the effects of the sinking and investigate the causes.
He says fallen shipping containers had been removed, and fuel, pollutants, weapons, ammunition and debris had been recovered.
“Further work is required,” Captain Ward says.
“That work includes progressing an independent wreck assessment together with environmental studies.
“This information will be essential in supporting decisions about the future work required.
“The priority remains, as it has been throughout, to minimise any environmental impacts of the sinking, and to support the Government of Samoa in its response.”
Reflecting on one year since the sinking, Captain Ward says the Defence Force remains eternally grateful no lives have been lost, and also recognise the impact the sinking has had on the people of Samoa.
