Latest news with #RoyalNewZealandNavy
RNZ News
a day ago
- General
- RNZ News
Independent 'draft assessment' of the Manawanui wreck circulates govt agencies' for feedback
UAS footage of RNZN Divers surveying the area around HMNZS Manawanui on the Southern Coast of Upulo as part of Op Resolution. 25 October 2024 Photo: New Zealand Defence Force The New Zealand Defence Force is circulating a draft assessment of the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui to New Zealand government agencies but there's no date for public release. "I'm getting their advice and providing advice on the initial draft ... They're other agencies such as Maritime New Zealand, MFAT - you know all key agencies that are part of the sort of multi-agency response that is responding to the Manawanui," Commodore Andrew Brown, from the Royal New Zealand Navy, said. Commodore Brown has led the recovery operation of the wreck of the Manawanui for the New Zealand Defence Force since it hit the Tafitoala Reef, set on fire and sank off the south coast of Upolu Samoa on 6 October, 2024. Diesel fuel slicks from HMNZS Manawanui observed from aerial shots. Photo: Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure Samoa NZDF conducted more than 284 dives of the wreck, including checking its 55 tanks and compartments. "We are as confident as we can be that we have removed as much of the diesel fuel and other pollutants from the vessel. If there is anything remaining from the vessel it would be very small amounts... Only traces I would expect of any fuel," Brown said. "We've also completed work to recover important equipment and weapons and ammunition, and debris from in and around the ship. We've left the ship as secure as possible until a decision is reached on the next steps for the ship and the work required for that." The salvors have returned to New Zealand bringing back diesel fuel, pollutants, debris and equipment including the azipod and the Manawanui's anchors and chains. What happens next to the Manawanui will be informed by the independent wreck, reef and environmental impact assessments. "We're pushing that as hard as we can, but as you could imagine these types of assessments need to be very carefully progressed. They're being carried out by independent experts. One of them is a Singaporean based," Commodore Brown said. "They're providing the technical advice on the wreck and the wreck assessment and alongside them are independent experts on the reef, and environment experts. They've also subcontracted some work to New Zealand agencies in progressing that." Commodore Brown said the initial draft of the wreck assessment is being circulated for advice but there is no timing for when the assessments will be completed, nor the names of the assessors. "There is some commercial sensitivities related to the contracting of those experts" and they are "being tasked in association with our insurers," he said. NZ Navy Commodore Andrew Brown. Photo: RNZ/ Susana Lei'ataua A 2km prohibitive area around the Manawanui has been legislated by the Government of Samoa "for safety reasons". "We've worked hand in glove with the Samoan government officials who you know have the lead on the response, and certainly have the lead on monitoring the environment. It's been very pleasing as we've worked alongside the likes of the Samoan science and research organisation who have been conducting seawater environmental testing," Commodore Brown said. Water testing has gone from twice a week after the HMNZS Manawanui sank, to once a week and now monthly and "all of the results are coming back with the area clear and uncontaminated from elevated hydrocarbons". NZDF continues to assist Samoan officials with monitoring the environment and testing the seawater but will not release these results. "Not at this stage. They're owned by the Samoans. And if those results are to be made public I would expect that would be something that the Samoan authorities would release," Commodore Brown said. He cannot say for sure if the independent wreck, reef and environmental impact assessments will be made public either "but certainly we have got an absolute focus on being as transparent as we can with respect to this response", he said. This is Commodore Brown's 46th year with the Royal New Zealand Navy. "I personally feel the loss of a ship like the Manawanui as if I have lost a colleague or a family member almost, and I know many of my sailor colleagues that have been involved in the response feel the same," he said. "We also feel, I also feel that bond around the Manawanui and the loss of Manawanui from the Samoans as well. And the wonderful relationship that I've been exposed to through the work I've done with Manawanui working with the Samoan government and the people of Samoa has been an incredible privilege. "No one ever, ever, ever wants this to occur again and never wanted it to occur in the first place, but it has occurred and we're doing our very, very, very best and I'm very proud to be part of the team that is responding to the Manawanui loss." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Museum seeks photo of soldier who never came back
As the 75th anniversary of the Korean War's outbreak approaches on June 25, a local museum hopes to locate a photograph of one of the men who never returned. Between 1950 and 1957, about 4700 New Zealanders served in Kayforce under United Nations command, and another 1300 served on Royal New Zealand Navy frigates. Forty-five New Zealand servicemen died, 33 of them killed in action. The Dunedin Roll of Honour in the Lost Generations Room at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum recounts the stories of those lost in war. Three Dunedin soldiers are known to have been killed during the Korean conflict: Oliver (Jim) Cruickshank, Richard Long and Edward Allnatt. The museum has been unable to track down an image of Edward Allnatt, and hopes someone locally can supply a photograph. Exhibition developer William McKee said the museum relied heavily on the generous support of wider whānau in the community to locate images for its digital Roll of Honour. "We are yet to track down a portrait of Edward. "He had strong connections to North Otago and Blenheim, but Edward spent a lot of time in Dunedin in the 1930s and 1940s, so hopefully, there might be a friend or relative out there that could help complete his record." Curator Sean Brosnahan has compiled biographies of the three soldiers. Born in Oamaru in 1927 and raised in Dunedin, Edward Allnatt had been working as a driver in Blenheim when he volunteered for Kayforce, New Zealand's contribution to the United Nations campaign to repel North Korea's invasion. He served as a gunner with the 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery. On November 26, 1951, he was in a truck ferrying ammunition when it was hit by a shell and he subsequently died of his wounds at only 24. Allnatt lies at rest in the United Nations Cemetery, Busan, South Korea. In 2003, his brother Wally accepted the newly established New Zealand Operational Service Medal on his behalf, an honour recognising the 49 service personnel who have died on active duty since 1945. Oliver (Jim) Cruickshank was born in Glasgow in 1938. He and his brother Michael were sent to Otago in 1941 as wartime child evacuees. For four years they attended John McGlashan College, boarding with relatives Jim and Jean Kirkland on their farm near Mosgiel. Returning to Scotland after the war, Cruickshank enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1946, was commissioned as a pilot officer in 1950 and served overseas on detachment with the Royal Australian Air Force from February 1951. He was one of six chosen from 150 RAF volunteers to fly reconnaissance with the Royal Australian Air Force in Korea, piloting the first British aircraft to cross Communist lines. On October 2, 1952, Chinese MiGs attacked his plane while he was on an unarmed photographic reconnaissance mission over North Korea. After taking evasive action and running low on fuel, Oliver had to bale out but his parachute failed to open. His body was never recovered. He was 24 and is remembered on the United Nations Wall of Remembrance at Busan in South Korea. Dunedin-born warrant officer Richard Long became one of New Zealand's first casualties in the Korean War when guerrillas ambushed his jeep near Samnangjin-ni on January 13, 1951. Born in 1920 and educated at King Edward Technical College, Long left Dunedin for Auckland, where he worked in a Ponsonby grocery before joining the artillery in 1942. He served in the Pacific for a year then trained as a pilot and flew with the Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1943 to 1945. When the government called for volunteers for Kayforce in 1950, he returned to the artillery with the rank of warrant officer. Long and his travelling comrade Gunner Ronald MacDonald were travelling by jeep about 13km from camp when machine-gun fire struck. MacDonald died instantly. Long was captured, forced to march five kilometres to a village and shot as his captors withdrew. He was 30. The pair were the New Zealand contingent's first losses. Long is buried in the United Nations Cemetery at Busan. In 2003, his cousin Lois Burleigh accepted the newly created New Zealand Operational Service Medal on his behalf. CAN YOU HELP? Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is seeking an image of Edward William Allnatt, who died of his wounds at only 24 while serving during the Korean conflict. If anyone has further information, please email toituosm@ or visit
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Navy officer and former school teacher running 100km for Auckland charity to help kids into sport
Sanders will be matched in his attempt by good mate Albie Roebeck, who previously joined him in a failed effort to reach 100km on Piha in June 2023. The pair started the 100km beach run during 'thunder and lightning strikes' and severe weather warnings. Roebeck had been hospitalised a week before with illness but still gave it his best shot, resulting in both men having to cut the attempt short after it became too much. This time they're determined to finish the job. 'Since then, it's been on both our minds,' Sanders said. 'You kind of just have to dig into your dark times to get through it.' A Givealittle page has been set up for the run with the funds going towards the charity Ballsy, which was founded by Rob Gaitau and will use the money to pay for children's sports fees. Roebeck works in the Royal New Zealand Navy and with at-risk youth. He will start tackling the gruelling distance at the same time as Sanders but on a different stretch of coastline – Pāpāmoa Beach. In preparation, Sanders recently ran 180 laps around a stadium to try to get his mind used to the repetitive scenery of Piha's beach. He has previously run seven marathons in seven days so is no stranger to the mental pain of long-distance running. Sanders said they were hoping for a good turnout of friends, family and anyone who wanted to show up and support them. 'We're here to take two and put this baby to rest,' Roebeck said. Sanders said in his previous role as a teacher he had seen first-hand the impact sport had on the mental wellbeing of young kids. Breaking down the barrier of cost would go a long way in helping more children to access sporting opportunities, he said. The run will take place this Friday.
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Wairoa soldier returns from once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica mission
During this season, two ships were unloaded. 'The first ship took us approximately seven days to unload and commence re-loading all the old containers that are required to return to New Zealand and the United States. 'Then Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Aotearoa was in port to conduct a bulk refuel to the base,' he said. Driving nine-speed Rd Ranger Cascadia freightliners with 40-foot trailers across gravel roads and snow was all part of the job. A former student at Wairoa Primary School, St Joseph's Intermediate, and Napier Boys' High School, Jane called the Antarctic deployment a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience'. 'To have the opportunity to experience life on the ice allows people who have never been here, me included, to be exposed to and understand some of life's most outrageous climate conditions and how people down here adapt to live with it as a day-to-day normal occurrence,' he said. The most challenging part was adjusting to 24 hours of daylight. 'When you wake up in the morning prior to shift, it's daylight. When you are getting ready for bed, it's daylight,' Jane said. 'The body clock gets pretty weird with getting into a routine, but mentally you have to tell yourself that it is time for bed, otherwise you find yourself still wide awake late at night despite knowing that you are up early for a shift the next morning.' Jane said what stood out most was the dedication of those who work on the ice. 'I admire the commitment of everyone down here to be able to spend months away from family, loved ones, and home to ensure whatever job they are in is accomplished.'
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Cocaine worth $60.9m seized at Port of Tauranga in major bust
Customs vessel Hawk V had monitored the vessel both at anchor off the port and on to its berth at the port, with the Royal New Zealand Navy Dive team undertaking a dive to check the vessels hull. Several containers onboard were risk-assessed as 'suspicious' and X-rayed. Four days earlier, Customs officers based in Tauranga had searched another container vessel from Panama and found 28 bricks of cocaine, weighing up to 1kg each, in the refrigeration compartment of a container. In total, 157 kilograms of cocaine worth up to $60.9 million was seized. Customs manager maritime Robert Smith said: 'Customs is taking a New Zealand Inc. approach and combining forces with like-minded agencies and industry colleagues to send a stark warning to transnational and serious organised crime groups that they are not welcome on our shores. 'We have been working closely with port authorities and shipping companies – these seizures evidence our partnerships are really making an impact. Criminal groups can expect to see more of us, not just in Tauranga. 'It is important to emphasise these are not one-off seizures found by chance – these results are through the dedication and hard work of Customs officers who are playing their part day in and day out to protect our borders and communities."
