New Zealand’s government has provided 10 million Samoan Tala (approximately NZ$6 million or £2.6 million) to Samoa. This compensation follows the grounding and subsequent sinking of the New Zealand naval ship, HMNZS Manawanui, which occurred in Samoan waters last year.
The HMNZS Manawanui ran aground on a reef while it was engaged in a seabed survey. The incident led to the ship leaking oil into the ocean, raising concerns about potential environmental damage, including reports of harm to marine wildlife like sea turtles and oil slicks appearing on local beaches.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, stated that the payment was made at Samoa’s request. He acknowledged the impact the sinking had on local communities and emphasized New Zealand’s commitment to minimizing environmental consequences and supporting the ongoing response efforts.
The HMNZS Manawanui was the first ship lost by New Zealand at sea since World War II. It was part of the nation’s naval fleet and was on a mission to survey a long-unmapped section of the seafloor when the grounding occurred.
The vessel was successfully evacuated, with all 75 crew members rescued. Despite initial observations of smoke as the ship went down, officials later confirmed that not all of its fuel had been consumed, contributing to the oil leaks. Efforts have since been made to remove fuel, oil, and debris from the sunken ship.
An inquiry into the incident identified a series of human errors, including the failure to disengage the ship’s autopilot, as the primary cause of the grounding. The New Zealand Defence Force is concluding its investigation into the matter.