New Zealand will compensate Samoa with 10 million Samoan tala (approximately $3.6 million) following the grounding and sinking of the navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui. The incident, which occurred on October 6, 2024, involved the ship running aground on a reef off the coast of Upolu, Samoa’s second-largest island. Fortunately, all 75 crew members were safely evacuated before the vessel caught fire and sank approximately 1.6 kilometers from shore.
An official inquiry into the disaster revealed that the HMNZS Manawanui sank due to failures in crew training and operational oversight. Crew members mistakenly believed the vessel was experiencing technical difficulties rather than being on autopilot as it headed toward the reef. The inquiry highlighted significant gaps in training and qualifications among the ship’s personnel.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, announced the compensation on Monday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing Samoa’s request in full. “We have always said we will do the right thing,” Peters stated in his announcement. The compensation will be funded through New Zealand’s military budget.
Samoa’s government has not yet commented on the compensation agreement. Meanwhile, New Zealand officials are expected to collaborate with their Samoan counterparts to determine the future of the wreck site. Measures taken so far include the removal of fallen shipping containers, pollutants, and military equipment from the area.
Environmental Impact and Recovery Efforts
The incident raised concerns regarding potential environmental damage to the reef ecosystem surrounding Upolu. Captain Rodger Ward of the New Zealand Defense Force stated, “It is pleasing to note that monitoring by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa has shown the seawater in the area is clear and uncontaminated from elevated hydrocarbons.” As a result, the warning against fishing in the region was lifted in February 2025.
An independent assessment of the wreck and environmental studies are planned as part of ongoing efforts to address the incident’s aftermath. The military has acknowledged the impact the sinking has had on local communities, particularly those on the South coast of Samoa, who expressed fears of long-term ecological damage.
The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist dive and hydrographic vessel, had been in service since 2019 and was engaged in surveying the reef at the time of the accident. This incident marks a significant loss for New Zealand’s navy, as it is the first vessel the country has lost at sea since World War II.
The New Zealand military is currently working to implement recommendations from the Court of Inquiry, which published its final report in April. The inquiry’s findings will also guide any potential disciplinary actions against the crew involved in the incident.