Photo: RNZ (file)A New Zealand law professor is calling for the United Kingdom's role to be considered when it comes to compensation for villagers impacted by the sinking of the Manawanui. The New Zealand navy vessel was surveying the south coast of Upolu when it struck the Tafitoala reef, caught fire, and sank on October 6 in 2024. New Zealand paid $6 million in compensation to the Samoa government for the sinking but Professor Paul Myburgh from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) said what Manawanui was doing on the south coast of Upolu needed to be considered. Pacific security expert Dr Iati Iati from Victoria University questioned whether New Zealand should be the only country paying compensation for the sinking of Manawanui. The Manawanui remains on the Tafitoala Reef and Samoa's Marine Pollution Advisory Committee was expecting a wreck report in the coming month.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 24, 2025 13:23 UTC