The Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui. Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Luke McGovern/commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons)

The New Zealand Government has paid WSt10m ($3.5m) to the Government of Samoa in response to the grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui in October 2024.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed on 6 October 2025 that the payment, requested by Samoa, was made.

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This date commemorates one year since the incident that took place off the coast of the Safata District on Upolu, Samoa.

All 75 people on board survived the incident.

Winston Peters said: “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.

“We recognise the impact the sinking has had on local communities and acknowledge the disruption it caused.”

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An interim New Zealand Court of Inquiry report, published in late 2024, identified human error as the cause of both the grounding and sinking.

The comprehensive investigation has since concluded, with substantial progress underway on implementing its recommendations.

The New Zealand Defence Force noted that disciplinary matters related to the case are under review as its inquiry nears completion.

Discussions between New Zealand and Samoa regarding decisions about the vessel’s future are ongoing.

“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,” Peters added.

HMNZS Manawanui served as a dive and hydrographic vessel for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Its capabilities included disaster relief, underwater search and recovery, mine detection and disposal, and limited mine countermeasures.

The ship entered service in 2019 as a replacement for HMNZS Resolution, which was decommissioned in April 2012.

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