Regarding HMNZS Manawanui
Kerry Parkin made this Official Information request to Ministry of Defence
Currently waiting for a response from Ministry of Defence, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).
From: Kerry Parkin
Dear Ministry of Defence,
I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982 regarding the loss of the HMNZS Manawanui in October 2024 and the subsequent Ministerial communications strategy.
Specifically, I request the following:
Ministerial Advice on Public Messaging: Copies of all advice, briefings, and communications (including emails, text messages, and internal memos) provided to the Minister of Defence between October 5, 2024, and October 25, 2024, regarding the public messaging strategy following the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui.
Gender and Identity Narratives: Any specific advice or communications discussing the framing of public responses around the Captain’s gender, or the use of terms such as "misogynistic narrative" or "vile" to characterize public or media questioning of the vessel’s command and operational failure.
Training and Operational Readiness: Copies of any briefings provided to the Minister in the six months prior to the incident regarding the "hollowness" of the Navy, specifically relating to crew training levels, sea-time experience, and the operational risks of the HMNZS Manawanui.
Selection and Appointment Process: Any internal communications discussing the "merit-based" vs "optics-based" appointment of leadership roles on the HMNZS Manawanui, and whether external political or social objectives influenced these appointments.
I am a New Zealand citizen/resident and make this request to ensure transparency regarding the management of national assets and the accountability of the Ministerial executive.
I request that this information be provided in an electronic and searchable format. If any part of this request is refused, please provide the specific reason for refusal as required by the Act.
Yours faithfully,
Kerry Parkin
From: Information
Ministry of Defence
Mōrena Kelly,
Please find attached the Ministry's response, transferring your request to
the New Zealand Defence Force.
Kind regards,
Hanna
[1]cid:image001.png@01DCA4B2.EA4E5B90 Ministerial
and Public
Services
Manatū
Kaupapa
Waonga -
New Zealand
Ministry of
Defence
Defence
House, 34
Bowen
Street, PO
Box 12703,
Wellington
6144, New
Zealand
show quoted sections
From: Information
Ministry of Defence
Kia ora Kerry,
I realise I have misspelled your name, apologies for this.
Yours sincerely,
Hanna
[1]cid:image001.png@01DCA4B2.EA4E5B90 Ministerial
and Public
Services
Manatū
Kaupapa
Waonga -
New Zealand
Ministry of
Defence
Defence
House, 34
Bowen
Street, PO
Box 12703,
Wellington
6144, New
Zealand
From: Information
Sent: Monday, 23 February 2026 11:05 a.m.
To: 'Kerry Parkin' <[FOI #33786 email]>
Cc: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Regarding HMNZS Manawanui [
UNCLASSIFIED ]
Mōrena Kelly,
Please find attached the Ministry's response, transferring your request to
the New Zealand Defence Force.
Kind regards,
Hanna
[2]cid:image001.png@01DCA4B2.EA4E5B90 Ministerial
and Public
Services
Manatū
Kaupapa
Waonga -
New Zealand
Ministry of
Defence
Defence
House, 34
Bowen
Street, PO
Box 12703,
Wellington
6144, New
Zealand
show quoted sections
From: Ministerial Services
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Good afternoon Kerry
Your request below has been received and a decision on your request will
be provided as soon as possible and no later than Monday 23 March 2026.
Responses to requests for information that are considered to be in the
wider public interest will be published on the New Zealand Defence Force
website ([1]www.nzdf.mil.nz).
Regards
Corporate and Ministerial Services
Office of the Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force | Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa
[2]www.nzdf.mil.nz
From: Information <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 23 February 2026 11:05 am
To: 'Kerry Parkin' <[FOI #33786 email]>
Cc: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Regarding HMNZS Manawanui [
UNCLASSIFIED ]
Mōrena Kelly,
Please find attached the Ministry's response, transferring your request to
the New Zealand Defence Force.
Kind regards,
Hanna
Ministerial and Public Services
Manatū Kaupapa Waonga - New Zealand Ministry of Defence
Defence House, 34 Bowen Street, PO Box 12703, Wellington 6144, New
Zealand
show quoted sections
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