Could Manawanui jeopardise NZ-Sāmoa relationship?

National and Labour seem at technical odds on whether the HMNZ Manawanui sinking on Sāmoa's shores will jeopardise the country's bilateral relationship.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins said New Zealand's relationship with Sāmoa could be jeopardised depending on how the sinking was handled.

He said the "relatively new" Navy ship was in good condition, and finding out what happened and reducing the damage is key.

"We need to make sure that we're doing everything we can to mitigate any environmental damage.

"If that means getting the fuel off the boat even before they bring it back to the surface, whatever it is they need to, they need to do that.

Watch the full interview via 531pi's FB below:

On the other hand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand's relationship with Sāmoa is not in jeopardy, and confirmed he’d spoken with Sāmoa's PM Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa last week.

"Firstly, I just thank the Sāmoan people for assisting and helping our own New Zealand Defence Force personnel.

"Seventy five of them were on a ship that grounded in big seas in the middle of the night and it was very dark, very dangerous, and very harrowing circumstances as we managed to get all personnel off safely,” said Luxon.

"That was job number one, now job number two is the 100 per cent effort from everybody, particularly the full resources of New Zealand are being deployed to make sure we contain any potential environmental impact."

Luxon said they had over 60 wildlife experts on the ground, and 26 divers working with Sāmoan divers to investigate the wreckage.

He said there had been no contamination of beaches or loss of marine life, however, there had been a small venting of diesel that would dissipate quickly.

Luxon said they are working on containing that "minor leak" but that key element in this situation was the main fuel tanks, where most of the fuel sits, which were intact.

"We've the deputy head of the Navy up there permanently dealing and managing the situation very closely with the Sāmoan government.

"To make sure that we deal with this fuel issue and with the wreck."

Watch the full interview via 531pi's FB below:

Local reaction

There have been calls for compensation and fair treatment by affected villages in the area, to which Sāmoa’s PM Fiamē told RNZ will be discussed once environmental impacts become clearer.

In terms of compensation to villages impacted, Hipkins said talks with Sāmoa on how best to support those impacted by this wreckage were vital.

He said they must find out what the legal situation is regarding the ship and that the government needed to be more transparent about this.

"Who's actually responsible for it? Is it still with the New Zealand government? I certainly think the moral obligation remains with the New Zealand government to make sure that we're doing the right thing here."

Hipkins said the government should front up on the options available, such as if salvage is an option being pursued and if not, and the wreckage remains in place, then what will be done to ensure environmental and population safety?

"They should at least tell people what the options are.

"I understand these things move quickly, they won't have all the information to make the best decisions yet, but they should at least be a bit more upfront on what they're considering."

Dive team preparing to head out to the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui. Photo /New Zealand Defence Force.

Luxon said after ensuring the safety of NZDF staff, they were on to the second goal which was containment of the sinking's impact.

The next goal was a Court of Inquiry which had already been launched to investigate the situation in its full context.

"Then any other conversations we'll have after that point."