New Zealand Agrees to Pay $3.6 Million in Compensation to Samoa
New Zealand’s government has announced a compensation agreement of 10 million Samoan tala (approximately $3.6 million) to the government of Samoa. This decision follows the grounding of the navy ship HMNZS Manawanui on a reef near Upolu, Samoa’s second-largest island, on October 6, 2024. All 75 crew members were safely evacuated before the vessel caught fire and sank approximately 1.6 kilometers offshore.
An official inquiry revealed that the sinking was due to failures in both crew training and ship management. The crew mistakenly believed that a malfunction was occurring, unaware that the ship was on autopilot as it headed toward the reef. The inquiry’s findings highlighted significant deficiencies in the crew’s qualifications and experience.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed the compensation amount, which fully meets Samoa’s request. “We have responded to the Government of Samoa’s request in full and with good faith,” he stated. “We have always said we will do the right thing.” The funds will be sourced from New Zealand’s military budget.
Samoa’s government has not yet provided a comment regarding the compensation. Meanwhile, New Zealand officials are collaborating with their Samoan counterparts to determine the future of the wreck. Efforts to date have included the removal of fallen shipping containers, pollutants, and military equipment from the site.
Environmental Concerns and Future Actions
The wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui has raised alarms regarding potential environmental damage, particularly among coastal communities in Samoa. Local residents expressed fears about the impact on the fragile reef ecosystem. In response, the New Zealand Defense Force has initiated comprehensive environmental assessments and plans for future actions.
According to Captain Rodger Ward of the New Zealand Defense Force, monitoring conducted by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa has indicated that the surrounding seawater is clear and free from elevated hydrocarbons. As a result, a fishing warning that had been in place was lifted in February.
The military acknowledged the sinking’s detrimental impact on the people of Samoa, especially those residing along the southern coast. The HMNZS Manawanui, which had been in service since 2019, was conducting a survey of the reef when it ran aground.
In April, a Court of Inquiry released its final report, detailing recommendations for future practices to prevent similar incidents. The military is currently working to implement these wide-ranging recommendations. Any disciplinary actions against the crew members involved in the incident have yet to be determined.
The HMNZS Manawanui was one of only nine vessels in New Zealand’s navy and marked the first loss of a naval ship at sea since World War II. The response from New Zealand underscores a commitment to addressing the incident and mitigating its effects on both local communities and the environment.
