New Zealand's government has paid Samoa 10 million Samoan Tala (NZD 6 million; £2.6 million) following the sinking of one of its naval ships, the HMNZS Manawanui, which crashed into a reef in Samoan waters last year.
The vessel started leaking oil after it sank, raising concerns over local marine wildlife, notably sea turtles, and resulting in oil slicks on nearby beaches.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed that the payment was made at the request of Samoa. The HMNZS Manawanui marked a significant loss as the first ship New Zealand lost at sea since World War II. It was part of a small naval fleet and had been conducting surveys in uncharted waters when it ran aground.
All 75 crew members aboard were successfully rescued as the ship began to list near the Samoan island of Upolu approximately a year ago. Despite evidence of burning fuel as it went down, officials later noted that not all fuel had been consumed, leading to fears of environmental contamination.
In response to the disaster, New Zealand has been proactive in addressing the ship's grounding. Work has been done to remove diesel fuel, oil, and other pollutants from the wreck, with a naval team assembled to clean up debris.
Peters expressed understanding of the situation's impact on local communities, acknowledging the aftermath of the sinking and the priority to minimize any environmental harm. He also mentioned that disciplinary action was still under consideration as investigations continue concerning operational errors, including the failure to disengage the ship's autopilot.
The incident provoked online trolling of the ship's female captain, which drew criticism from New Zealand's defence minister.
