The New Zealand government has made significant progress in managing the cleanup of the HMNZS Manawanui wreck, which sank off the coast of Samoa last year. The latest updates from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) confirm that substantial environmental risks have been mitigated, with fuel and pollutant removal successfully completed. Now, the operation has moved to the next critical phase: recovering equipment, weapons, and debris while ensuring long-term environmental protection.
Successful fuel removal operation
Earlier this month, the NZDF and specialist salvors, Bay Underwater and Pacific 7, both Tauranga-based, completed a crucial phase of the cleanup by extracting over 320,000 litres of diesel fuel from the wreck. Of this, 300,000 litres were recovered for reuse, while an additional 45,000 litres of waste oil and diesel-contaminated seawater were removed for safe disposal in New Zealand. Divers conducted 284 challenging dives to access 55 tanks, ensuring no further fuel leaks into the surrounding waters. Environmental monitoring showed minimal contamination, leading to the lifting of precautionary fishing restrictions in the area.
Progress on equipment and ammunition recovery
With the fuel removed, the focus has now shifted to retrieving weapons, ammunition, and other equipment from the wreck. According to Commodore Andrew Brown, NZDF Senior National Representative for Operation Resolution, the salvage team has been working methodically to access secure compartments within the ship.
Using highly specialised diving and salvage equipment, the team has carefully documented and retrieved weapons and ammunition. Each item has been logged, with serial numbers verified and photographic records taken to ensure full accountability. The NZDF has been working closely with local Samoan authorities, particularly the Samoan Police Service, which has assisted with the safe storage of recovered weapons and ammunition.
Some of the ammunition, however, has been found to be deteriorated due to prolonged exposure to seawater. These compromised munitions are being safely disposed of in collaboration with the Samoan Police Service. The remaining ammunition, alongside weapons, equipment, and debris, will be transported back to New Zealand for secure disposal.
Ensuring the security of the wreck
The next steps involve making the Manawanui wreck as secure as possible. Salvors are assessing the structural stability of the wreck and identifying any potential hazards that need to be addressed.
To guide future decisions, an independent wreck assessment is currently underway. This includes studies of the reef and marine environment around the wreck site. The results of this assessment will play a key role in determining how best to manage the site going forward. The Samoan and New Zealand governments are working together to decide on the next course of action based on expert recommendations.
Ongoing environmental monitoring
Throughout the operation, environmental protection has remained a top priority. The Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa continues to monitor the seawater and marine life, with reports confirming that the area remains clear and uncontaminated.
While the recovery efforts are influenced by sea and weather conditions, Commodore Brown reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to a careful and thorough cleanup. The priority remains to minimise environmental impact and ensure that all aspects of the wreck’s recovery are handled responsibly.
Commitment to responsible cleanup
The cleanup of HMNZS Manawanui is a complex operation requiring expertise, coordination, and a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship. With fuel removal completed and weapons recovery progressing well, the operation is steadily advancing towards its goal of securing the wreck site.
As New Zealand and Samoa continue to collaborate on this effort, the mission remains clear: to protect the marine environment, responsibly dispose of hazardous materials, and ensure the long-term safety of the area surrounding the wreck. The careful and methodical approach taken so far reflects both countries’ commitment to sustainable marine management and environmental responsibility.
