New Zealand's government has paid Samoa 10 million Samoan Tala (NZD 6 million; £2.6 million) following a serious incident in which one of its naval ships, HMNZS Manawanui, crashed into a reef in Samoan waters before catching fire and sinking last year.
HMNZS Manawanui began leaking oil into the ocean after it sank, raising concerns over local wildlife as reports indicated sea turtles were dying and oil slicks appeared on nearby Samoan beaches.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, confirmed that the payment was made at Samoa's request, acknowledging the incident's negative impact on local communities.
This incident marked a historic loss as HMNZS Manawanui was the first ship New Zealand lost at sea since World War Two. The naval vessel was conducting surveys in an uncharted area when it ran aground.
All 75 crew members were rescued as the ship started listing off the coast of Upolu, Samoa. Reports indicated that despite visible smoke as the ship went down, not all of its fuel had combusted, resulting in diesel and oil leaks.
New Zealand's government has since been working closely with Samoa to manage the environmental fallout, with efforts underway to remove pollutants from the wreckage along with debris from the reef.
Peters reiterated the government's commitment to minimizing environmental impacts and staying engaged with Samoa regarding decisions about the ship's future.
An inquiry into the incident determined that a series of human errors, including inadequate disengagement of the autopilot, contributed to the crash. In the aftermath, social media backlash targeted the ship's female captain, although this was condemned by New Zealand’s defense minister.
