It has been revealed that the HMNZS Manawanui wreckage would not be removed from its resting place outside Tafitoala on the South Coast of Upolu.

The New Zealand navy ship sank on the morning of 6 October 2024, after hitting a reef the previous evening.

The government has plans to leave the ship where it is as this could be an opportunity to increase tourism activity by promoting it as a dive site.

The ship lies just off the reef at Tafitoala at a depth of 35 metres. This makes an idyllic diving spot.

New Zealand’s Minister for Defence Judith Collins says the Samoan Government wants the Manawanui wreck to remain off the coast despite ongoing concerns about residual oil slicks and pollution.

The ship ran aground on a coral reef during survey operations in October.

Collins says most of the oil has been removed, and the wreck could eventually become a tourist attraction.

“The Samoan government has decided it wants it to stay where it is. It suits the government for that to happen; it’ll become a great part of the reef, and it’ll be probably an excellent diving spot at some stage,” said Collins.

The Samoa Conservation Society has backed the idea provided all environmental hazards are removed.

“As long as all the oil and any other toxins are removed from the hull and the boat is stable and won't move around in storms then it will be a good addition to reef life and a good dive site for Samoa. Corals will grow up on the wreck very fast and it will be claimed by nature so I am for it,” said SCS president James Atherton.

Owners of the Sina PJ Beach Fales in Tafitoala have also welcomed the idea. For them, this would mean an increase in business.

The operation is still at a standstill. The business is based on surf operations but the area where surfing takes place is inside the restricted two-kilometre zone to safeguard the salvage works that is being currently carried out.

Last month, the fishing village of Safata reported continued fuel odours in the region, despite the precautionary ban being lifted, allowing villagers to resume fishing near the disaster site.

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China has also given $50,000 to the Safata District to be used to help families whose livelihood had been affected by the fishing ban.