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October 08, 2024
Former Defense Minister Henare warns of fiscal sink with the HMNZS Manawanui
Atereano Mateariki
Posted On October 8, 2024
Download AudioFormer Defense Minister Peeni Henare says the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui leaves a significant physical and fiscal gap in our Naval fleet.
Over the weekend, the $100 million refitted oil exploration ship struck a reef and sank off Upolu, Samoa, while conducting a hydrographic survey in the Pacific.
Mr Henare says the recovery and replacement cost will leave the government in a very expensive hole to climb out of.
He says the government took shortcuts regarding the ship’s insurance coverage leaving more questions for our other defence force assets
“As we know the NZDF, have a large number of assets right across its three services, from Hercules aircrafts, to Bushmaster vehicles used by the army. The question is, is that the case right across the NZDF? Because if it is, it should be a huge concern to all Kiwis. And the point is, the cost is going to have to be met somewhere, and it’s going to be met by the taxpayer,” says Mr Henare.
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