New Zealand has paid 10 million Samoan tālā to Samoa following the loss of HMNZS Manawanui, which struck a reef off the south coast of Upolu on 6 October 2024 and subsequently sank.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed the payment was made in full and in good faith after a formal request from the Samoan government. "We have always said we will do the right thing," Peters said. "We recognise the impact the sinking has had on local communities and acknowledge the disruption it caused."
The consequences for local communities have been severe. Village elders told RNZ Pacific that once-rich fishing grounds have been destroyed, and they are calling for the wreck to be removed entirely. Peters acknowledged those concerns, saying both governments were continuing to work together on decisions regarding the ship, with the focus on minimising any environmental harm and supporting the broader response effort.
An inquiry whose findings were released in April determined that the crew of HMNZS Manawanui had been undertrained and that the vessel was not suited to the task. All 75 passengers and crew survived. An investigation into whether disciplinary proceedings would follow was in its closing stages.
Captain Rodger Ward, lead of the HMNZS Manawanui response, reflected on the work carried out across the past 12 months since the vessel went down. Fallen shipping containers had been removed from the site, along with fuel, pollutants, weapons, ammunition, and debris. He noted that more work remains to be done.
"Further work is required. 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," Ward said. "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."
Marking a year since the incident, Ward said the Defence Force remained eternally grateful no lives were lost, while also recognising the impact the sinking had had on the people of Samoa.
