New Zealand Defence Minister Condemns Online Trolling of Female Captain After HMNZS Manawanui Sinking

New Zealand’s Defense Minister, Judith Collins, publicly condemned the online trolling directed at the female captain of the HMNZS Manawanui, a naval vessel that sank over the weekend. While the cause of the incident remains unknown, Collins emphasized that it had nothing to do with the captain’s gender.

The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialized dive salvage and hydrographic vessel, sank on Sunday while surveying a reef off the coast of Samoa. All 75 crew members and passengers were ordered to evacuate the ship and were later rescued safely.

Collins announced that a court of inquiry has been established to determine the cause of the incident. She expressed her outrage at the derogatory online comments from “armchair admirals,” criticizing individuals who make life-or-death decisions without firsthand experience. She questioned the decency of people making such remarks in 2024, noting that women in uniform have faced public abuse following the incident.

Calling the behavior “outrageous,” Collins pointed out that New Zealand is better known for its progressive stance on gender equality, being the first country to grant women the right to vote. However, women in authority, including former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, have often faced harsher criticism than their male counterparts, a topic that has sparked extensive debate in parliament and local media.

Currently, women make up about 20 % of New Zealand’s defense force personnel. Following the sinking of the Manawanui, the Navy now has just five vessels in service. The Defense Force has stated that an interim report will be released by mid-November, with a final report made available to the public afterward.