Samoa And New Zealand Differ Over Further Manawanui Compensation Claims

Atereano Mateariki RNZ Pacific journalist

New
Zealand says no new payment is being negotiated over the
sinking of the New Zealand Navy vessel, HMNZS
Manawanui, despite a report in Samoa to the
contrary.

Official correspondence between the two
governments shows Samoa agreed to not pursue further payment
for matters covered by an earlier settlement.

However,
Samoa’s Environment Minister Ale Vena Ale stated in
parliament this week that a separate WST4.2 million
(approximately NZ$2.5m) is being negotiated with New Zealand
as Manawanui compensation for Siumu
residents.

Responding to RNZ Pacific’s questions, a
spokesperson for New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade (MFAT) said New Zealand made a NZ$6 million payment to
the Samoan government, at its request.

“The two
governments agreed – in
an exchange of letters – that this payment resolves all
issues arising from the sinking of the HMNZS
Manawanui, other than issues relating to the ongoing
wreck and reef assessments,” the spokesperson
said.

“In the exchange of letters it was agreed that
the Government of Samoa would not seek further payment in
relation to the resolved matters.”

RNZ Pacific has
approached Ale for comment.

The Manawanui sank
off the southern coast of Upolu in October 2024 after
hitting a reef and spilling hundreds of thousands of litres
of diesel and oil into the ocean.

A year on from the
wreckage, the New Zealand government gave the Samoan
government upon its request, WST10 million (approximately
NZ$6m) as compensation for all damage caused by the
wreckage.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said
at the time “we have responded to the Government of Samoa’s
request in full and with good faith.”

“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
said.

Compensation payment changes and
delays

The Samoan government urged Safata residents
to remain calm while compensation processes were finalised,
with many locals bracing for smaller payouts as a growing
number of recipients stretches the fund thinner.

In
April, Samoan Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea
Polataivao Fosi Schmidt announced each villager – from an
infant to the elderly in each family – would receive WST1100
from the compensation money provided by the New Zealand
government.

But this week it was reported the original
amount will now drop to about WST950 after the number of
recipients grew from just under 9000 to more than
10,400.

Authorities say the change reflects a more
accurate count, including children and others missed in the
first assessment.

Residents have told local media no
one has received any money, despite signing agreements and
being advised to check their bank accounts.

However,
Safata No 2 MP Tuia Pu’a Fuatogi Letoa dismissed these
claims.

“We are okay, our district is not grumbling
right now, maybe three or 10 people [are] in conflict, but
they are not living in Safata. We are okay,” Tuia
said.

Tuia said the previous government had planned to
provide WST3m, but the current administration intends to
deliver the full WST10m to Safata villagers.

“They are
going through the process of getting everybody to make sure
they have an equal share of that of the $10m so that is what
I know [is] in the process, and there’s nothing wrong with
what is going on,” Tuia said.

Prime Minister Laauli
said in April that other villages impacted by the
Manawanui incident, including Siumu, their
compensation is not included in the WST10m
package.

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