NZ and Samoa reach deal on HMNZS Manawanui reef disaster compensation

New Zealand and Samoa have agreed on compensation for the Manawanui disaster, with details pending. Photo / Profile Boats

By RNZ Gallery

New Zealand and Samoa have struck a deal over compensation for the Manawanui disaster, with an announcement expected imminently, RNZ understands.

Monday October 6 will mark one year since the navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui ran aground on a reef off the south coast of Upolu and then sank.

Village elders have long sought compensation for damage to the reef and for losses to fishing and tourism.

It’s understood an agreement has now been reached and it has been left to Samoa’s Government to reveal the details.

Approached for comment, Defence Minister Judith Collins’ office referred questions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

An MFAT spokesperson said the ministry would respond on Monday.

Speaking to RNZ Pacific last month, Samoa’s former prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said the New Zealand Government had been “very forthcoming” in discussions.

“We had to do a survey to advise New Zealand in terms of compensation,” she said.

“That’s more or less finalised, so it’s just a matter of beginning to do the implementation.”

An inquiry released in April found the ship’s crew was undertrained and the vessel was not up to the task.

-RNZ