Samoan Local Upset With Lack Of Manawanui Updates

Thursday, 21 November 2024, 8:34 pm
Article: RNZ

Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist

A Samoan local says there has been no communication from the New Zealand Navy on the Manawnaui incident, but both the Chief of Navy and the Samoan government say community engagement is being led by local authorities.

Manu Percival, who works as a local surf-guide in the area on the south coast of Upolu, said the information surrounding the navy vessel that ran aground there last month is all hearsay.

"There's been little to no communication, no public information, website, or anything," Percival said.

"If this happened in New Zealand, there would be an 0800 number set up straight away and you could ring that number anytime for any questions or queries you may have.

"The public would be a lot more informed about what's going on."

Percival said information may have reached the village high chief, but if it was, it wasn't being made public.

Percival said it could be easily rectified by a Facebook page or similar forum where people could submit questions both in Samoan and English. He also thought local radio ads could be used by the Navy to communicate key messages.

Deputy Chief of Navy Andrew Brown said the Samoan Government is leading the community engagement.

"New Zealand stands ready to support the Samoan Government in that engagement if they want us to in the future," Brown said in a written statement.

"The NZDF continues to provide regular updates to media and the public via our own channels, and we hope the people of Samoa are also seeing this coverage."

But Percival said Samoa should not be responsible for communicating the information.

"The Samoan government never crashed the boat.

"It's a developing country… where's the government supposed to get the money to employ the people to set this sort of stuff up."

Afioga Fui Tupai Mau Simanu, the chairman of Samoa's Marine Pollution Advisory Committee (MPAC), which is the official committee looking after the recovery backed the Navy and said the communication to the locals was the responsibility of the local government.

"Due to severity of the impact of this incident on our communities, communicating directly with the locals has proven to be an emotional undertaking; one that is best suited for our local authorities to carry out," Afioga said in a statement.

"The situation is being managed very carefully. Those directly affected by this incident have been engaged through consultations, the media, as well as provided hotlines/MPAC members phone numbers and Government Ministry social media platforms, in efforts to enable easier communication with the public surrounding Manawanui incident."

He said MPAC members had also met with the affected villages multiple times and more consultations are planned.

"There have been complaints received by the Government initially and we have already addressed those during the community engagements."

Afioga also said updates were coming through on the Ministry of Works Facebook page.

© Scoop Media

RNZ

New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.

Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.

Contact RNZ

• Website - www.radionz.co.nz
• Twitter - @rnz_news
• Facebook
• Link - Contact RNZ