New Zealand’s government has provided Samoa with 10 million Samoan Tala (approximately NZD 6 million or £2.6 million) after one of its naval vessels, HMNZS Manawanui, ran aground on a reef in Samoan waters, subsequently catching fire and sinking. The incident occurred last year and raised significant environmental concerns due to oil leaks that impacted marine life and local beaches.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that the compensation was made at Samoa’s request. HMNZS Manawanui was the first ship lost by New Zealand at sea since World War Two. It was engaged in surveying a long-unmapped section of the seafloor when the grounding occurred.
All 75 crew members were safely rescued from the vessel, which began listing off the coast of the island of Upolu a year ago. Although the ship was seen emitting smoke as it sank, authorities later confirmed that not all fuel had been consumed, leading to oil leaks from multiple points and raising concerns for the local marine ecosystem. New Zealand naval teams have been working to remove pollutants and debris from the ship, which remains on the reef.
Minister Peters emphasized that New Zealand is continuing to collaborate with Samoa on decisions regarding the ship and its future, acknowledging the impact on local communities and the disruption caused. He stated that minimizing environmental impact and supporting the response efforts are top priorities. An inquiry into the incident identified human errors, including the failure to disengage the ship’s autopilot, as the primary cause of the crash. The New Zealand Defence Force is concluding its investigation into the matter, with any disciplinary proceedings to be determined subsequently.