The New Zealand government has agreed to pay Samoa 10 million tala (approximately $3.51 million) in compensation for the 2024 sinking of the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui off Samoa’s coast.
The incident occurred on 6 October 2024 when Manawanui, an 84-meter-long, 5,700-tonne specialist dive and hydrographic vessel of the New Zealand Navy, ran aground on a reef off the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa, during a survey mission.
After grounding, the vessel caught fire, prompting the crew to abandon ship. Thick grey smoke was reported rising from the area before the ship eventually capsized and sank beneath the surface. This marks New Zealand’s first naval ship lost at sea since World War II.
All 75 crew members and passengers made it safely to shore. An official inquiry later determined that human error was the cause of the accident.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, confirmed the payment in response
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