John Battersby: Senior Fellow at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies on the naval officers being charged for the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 2, 2026 · 3 MIN

John Battersby: Senior Fellow at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies on the naval officers being charged for the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui

from Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · host Newstalk ZB

The commander of naval vessel HMNZS Manawanui is facing a court martial —alongside two other officers— over its sinking off Samoa's coast in 2024.  Charges laid under the Armed Forces Discipline Act allege errors on the bridge meant the vessel grounded on a known navigational hazard.  Commander Yvonne Gray, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Gajzago, and a third unnamed officer are facing charges.  John Battersby, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, told Ryan Bridge that as a commander of a naval vessel, your one job is to keep it above water.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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John Battersby: Senior Fellow at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies on the naval officers being charged for the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui

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