Nanai Dr. Iati Iati, a Samoan International Relations expert called for an international inquiry into the sinking of New Zealand navy ship HMNZS Manawanui rather than solely relying on the New Zealand investigation.

He emphasised the gravity of the situation surrounding the naval ship that sank off the coast of Upolu on Sunday morning. 

The Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington said this has posed significant concerns regarding environmental and economic repercussions. 

"I've watched with interest the developments about the New Zealand naval ship that sank," Nanai stated. 

"This is a tragedy for Samoa, and I hope there will be full accountability for those responsible and an independent international enquiry into this."

The sinking has raised alarms about potential anger towards New Zealand, with Nanai suggesting that feelings on the ground may escalate. 

“Embarrassing is probably the tip of the iceberg. I think as you see this play out over the next few months, the economic consequences, as well as the environmental consequences, will definitely get worse.”

The environmental impact could be particularly severe, given that "the vast majority of Samoa’s biodiversity and biomass exists really close to the shore," Nanai noted. 

"You just cannot afford to have any oil spills hit the coastal ecosystem." 

He highlighted that subsistence fishing remains a crucial livelihood for many Samoans, stating, “Subsistence fishing is the largest and most important fishing activity in Samoa. You have many ordinary people relying on the ocean for their living, much more so than other more developed Pacific countries.”

The ship was equipped with four diesel generators that powered two azimuth propulsion systems and three bow thrusters, and it was fuelled with Automotive Gas Oil, a light oil commonly used by commercial and military vessels. This raises further concerns about potential fuel leaks and their devastating effects on local marine life.

Nanai expressed that the possibility of Samoa seeking compensation hinges on the government's resolve to hold those responsible accountable. 

"It depends on the extent to which the Samoan Government has the backbone and the resolve to hold those responsible accountable for this," he said.

With Samoa grappling with economic challenges and many citizens relying on subsistence living, the ramifications of this disaster could be profound. Nanai urged the Samoan government to engage independent assessors to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts, rather than solely relying on New Zealand's investigation.