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Robert MacCulloch
Robert MacCulloch is a native of New Zealand and worked at the Reserve Bank of NZ before he travelled to the UK to complete a PhD in Economics at Oxford University.
Reports out of Samoa suggest that salvage work on the Manawanui will stop whilst King Charles is staying at the Sinalei Beach Resort and Spa. The Manawanui has sunk on the reef just off shore from that hotel. What a coincidence. Samoa’s PM says “there are no talks of the Manawanui being salvaged this week”, as leaders from nations gather in Apia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. ABC News Australia reports there is “Anger among affected communities as Samoa suspends Manawanui ship clean up for CHOGM.” Fishers in the area have been told not to enter the waters around the shipwreck until further notice. Meanwhile, three navy ships from NZ, Australia and the UK are assembling in the waters off Samoa to provide security for His Royal Highness. None of them will be on top of the wreck of the Manawanui, helping clean up the lagoon, removing its anchor that has broken a chunk off the reef, and removing the containers that have washed up and been emptied by locals, and are still sitting there. No, the Navy ships will be there for the pleasure of His Royal Highness to gaze at whilst he warms his Royal Toes in the Spa.
NZ Defense Minister Judith Collins states the oil coming out of the wreck is a
“little trickle”. You’d think when you lose 15 per cent of your Navy, the Defense Minister would go look at the site herself. There are no reports of her having done so. Mr Letoa, a former Samoan MP said Ms Collins’s statement was “unkind and careless”. Reverend Feata Perelini from Lotofaga village said the impact on communities dependent on fishing had been devastating. No level of expertise could bring the marine environment back to its original state, he said. The villagers want compensation. The NZ government is offering them none. Is the NZ Defense Minister and Navy asserting the Reverend is not telling the truth?
This article was originally published by Down to Earth Kiwi.
