A matai, Seiuli Asafo Mamoe, has urged the government to carefully consider the unique struggles of Sataoa as it distributes compensation for the Manawanui sinking in October 2024, describing the village as the hardest hit among Safata communities

Seiuli said the October 2024 sinking of the Manawanui has left lasting effects on Safata communities, with coastal villages facing both environmental hazards and personal dangers. Among them, Sataoa has emerged as one of the hardest hit, struggling with debris, oil spills, and the challenges of daily life in the disaster’s aftermath. 

Last month, it was announced that the New Zealand government gave $10 million to the government as compensation for the damages after the ship sank. The money is yet to be distributed.

Seiuli explained that Sataoa’s location in Safata Bay makes it particularly vulnerable to debris and animal carcasses carried westward by ocean currents from eastern villages. 

“This part of the sea has always been the collection point for rubbish and floating carcasses,” he said, recalling his childhood when floating dead animals had to be pulled from the water and burned.

He said the Manawanui disaster also put lives at risk. He recounted the story of a young man from Sataoa who rescued a woman sailor from the ship. 

“A young man saw a woman being swept toward the reefs. He paddled out in his canoe and brought her safely to land,” Seuli said. He said the incident illustrates both the danger posed by the sinking and the quick response of residents.

Seiuli said the aftermath of the disaster also disrupted daily life; coastal families were forced to cope with the smell of oil and debris, which spoiled meals and made normal Sunday routines difficult. 

“People couldn’t enjoy their Sunday to’ona’i after church; the smell was unbearable, especially for the elderly and children,” Seiuli said.

Today, some residents have collected timber from the wreck, keeping it as a reminder of the disaster. Seiuli hopes the government takes such local experiences into account when distributing the compensation.