Peters defends NZ First ad linking Manawanui sinking to "woke" policies
NZ First leader Winston Peters has defended a party social media advertisement that blames the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui on "woke" diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. The RNZ report says the ad features party candidate and former defence minister Ron Mark saying diversity, equity and inclusiveness had gone "too far". Mark cites the sinking as evidence.
Asked about the ad, Peters said it was "clear as daylight" that Commander Yvonne Gray, who captained HMNZS Manawanui, had been hired through a DEI programme. When asked whether he had evidence of that, he said "yes".
Peters also put the cost of the sinking at $100 million.
National leader Christopher Luxon said Mark appeared to be trying to "cosplay Pete Hegseth". Luxon did not rule out having Mark as defence minister if National forms the next government.
HMNZS Manawanui grounded and sank off the coast of Samoa. The grounding and loss occurred between 5 and 6 October 2024. The Defence Force held a Court of Inquiry, a formal military investigation, into the incident. Its interim report found the ship grounded and sank as a result of human error. The final inquiry found 12 factors had contributed to the grounding and sinking.
The New Zealand Government has also made a payment to the Government of Samoa following the grounding and sinking, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In October 2025, Peters said the government was continuing to work with Samoa on decisions relating to the ship and its future.
