New Zealand has paid Samoa's government around NZ$6 million in compensation for last year's Manawanui disaster, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.
The total payment was 10 million Samoan Tala and followed a request from the Government of Samoa, Peters said in an announcement today.
"We have responded to the Government of Samoa’s request in full and with good faith. We have always said we will do the right thing," he said. "We recognise the impact the sinking has had on local communities and acknowledge the disruption it caused."
The HMNZS Manawanui struck a reef and sank off the coast of Upolu on the night of October 5, 2024. All 75 onboard were safely evacuated.
Court of Inquiry finds there was nothing wrong with the HMNZS Manawanui when it hit a reef, caught fire and sank off the coast of Upolu Island in Samoa last October. (Source: 1News)
Hundreds of thousands of litres of diesel fuel were estimated to have leaked from the sunken ship, along with other debris dispersed into the water, badly impacting local fishermen and tourism operators.
Peters said he continued to work with Samoa on decisions around the ship and its future.
"Working with the government of Samoa, our focus continues to be on minimising any possible environmental impacts and supporting the response. These are our absolute priorities," he said in a statement.
The Defence Force's HMNZS Manawanui response lead, Andrew Brown, said active work continued to be required in the clean-up and recovery from the disaster.
"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," he said.
"Alongside our Samoan colleagues, much work has been carried out in the past 12 months to minimise the effects of the sinking and investigate the causes.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa told 1News her cabinet were presented with a list of options regarding the wreck. (Source: 1News)
"Fallen shipping containers have been removed. Fuel, oil, other pollutants, equipment, weapons, ammunition and debris have been recovered and the wreck has been made as safe as possible."
Seawater in the area was "clear and uncontaminated from elevated hydrocarbons, resulting in the warning on fishing being lifted completely in February", Brown said.
"One year on, we recognise the impact that the sinking has had on the people of Samoa, particularly the communities of the south coast and, also, the support the NZDF has received from the government and people of Samoa in dealing with the aftermath."
NZDF investigation 'reaching closing stages'
In an additional update, Peters' office also confirmed that the Defence Force investigation into the incident was "reaching its closing stages" with "any disciplinary proceedings that may arise … yet to be determined".
It comes as Defence Minister Judith Collins went on the attack over online criticism aimed at the ship's commander. (Source: 1News)
A court of inquiry into the sinking found it was caused by a "series of human errors" in a report released in April. It also called out a culture that prioritised accomplishing missions over safety among multiple factors.
The ship was steered towards the reef and set on autopilot.
The report also pointed out contributing factors included levels of training, experience and supervision, as well as the haste required and inadequate preparedness.
In outlining other contributing factors, the report noted "the ship's key personnel involved in the incident on the bridge were found to have deficiencies in ship qualifications and platform endorsements".
It said these deficiencies and lack of training and experience "collectively combined to contribute to the ship grounding".
SHARE ME