Government considers options to distribute $10 Million compensation for Safata district

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 12 October 2025: The Government is considering three options on how to distribute the $10 million compensation from the New Zealand Government for the Safata district for the damage caused by the sunken HMNZS Manawanui warship.

The Minister of Finance Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o confirmed the three options presented at a meeting with the village representatives last Friday.

Option 1 is to hand over the money to the district to distribute themselves.

Option 2 is to engage an independent consultant to deal with the distribution; and Option 3 is for Government to handle the distribution.

Mulipola said the Safata district led by Member of Parliament Tuia Pua Letoa wanted to handle the money themselves.

“They are proposing that the money be given to the district, and they distribute it themselves,” said Mulipola.

Mulipola clarified that after the incident last year, the New Zealand Government negotiated with the then Government and presented $10m in compensation and negotiations continued given the long-term impact of the sunken vessel to the environment and the district’s economic sustenance.

The Minister also reaffirmed that negotiations are continuing for an extra $14m from New Zealand for the restoration of the reef and coastal environment around the area where the vessel is sunk. There is also the issue of the future of the vessel whether it would be removed.