Villagers from Samoa’s Safata district, where the HMNZS Manawanui sank, will meet with Samoan officials on Friday to push for compensation due to the disaster’s effect on their livelihoods.
The shipwreck, which occurred on October 5, has reportedly caused diesel leaks and other environmental damage, severely impacting the local fishing industry, which is vital to the region’s economy.
Safata residents, alongside former MP Tuia Pu’a Leota, are calling for fair compensation, criticising statements that downplay the scale of the disaster. They argue that the spill is causing significant damage, including forcing fishermen to travel further to catch fish, incurring additional costs and losses.
Tuia described the widespread impact of the disaster, which has affected neighbouring districts.
The community, which was previously devastated by a tsunami 15 years ago, fears the long-term effects of the shipwreck will quietly scar the region.
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) reports suggest that while the main fuel tanks remain intact, there are uncertainties about the full extent of the leak. Talks of compensation will only proceed once the environmental impacts are fully assessed, according to Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataafa.
