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Gender of female captain not to blame for sinking of $61M navy ship: New Zealand defense minister

New Zealand's Defense Minister has clapped back at claims that the appointment of a female to captain a $61 million navy ship ultimately led to its sinking. 

The HMNZS Manawanui pictured in 2022. (Christopher Weissenbornnzdf via AP)

Judith Collins, who is New Zealand’s first female defense minister, rebuked such claims and said there is a "misogynistic narrative" surrounding the sinking. The cause of the sinking has yet to be determined. 

She said she was appalled to see the comments online from "armchair admirals, people who will never have to make decisions which mean life or death for their subordinates."

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Lieutenant Commander Tala Mafile'o of the Royal Tongan Navy presents Commander Yvonne Gray, left, with a carved wooden bowl as a memento of the RNZN's participation in the 50th Anniversary Fleet Review. (New Zealand Defence Force via AP)

She added women in uniform were being abused in the street following the incident.

"This is outrageous behavior and New Zealand is not known for this and we are better than it," she added. "We are all appointed on merit, not gender," she added.

The vessel lost power and ran aground on Saturday evening one nautical mile off the southern coast of the Samoan island of Upolu. By Sunday morning, the vessel was "listing heavily," and smoke was spotted around 6:40 a.m., the navy said. By 9 a.m. the ship slipped below the surface.

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Judith Collins, New Zealand’s defense minister, has rebuked claims that the appointment of a female captain to commandeer a $61 million navy ship ultimately led to its sinking.  (AP )

The sinking prompted fears of a major fuel spill. On Thursday, officials in Samoa said while the vessel was leaking oil from three places, the amount was decreasing each day and was dissipating quickly due to strong winds in the area.

The vessel had been in service for New Zealand since 2019, was 20 years old and had previously belonged to Norway. The military said the ship, purchased for $61 million ($100 million NZ dollars), was not covered by replacement insurance.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.