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  

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.&nbsp;
Charges laid under the Armed Forces Discipline Act allege errors on the bridge meant the vessel grounded on a known navigational hazard.&nbsp;
Commander Yvonne Gray, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Gajzago, and a third unnamed officer are facing charges.&nbsp;
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. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/172dbac4-1875-44bd-bcc2-b4010164ccbd/transcript

Stability is continuing to erode across the Middle East with another day of large-scale combat.  

The White House advises its military attacks on Iran could last weeks. 

The strikes have killed Iran's Supreme Leader and numerous officials and more than 1250 targets have already been struck.  

Tehran's been retaliating, sending strikes over surrounding countries, with six US servicemen among the dead. 

National Security Expert Matthew Schmidt told Ryan Bridge that when all is said and done, there are a few basic groups who may gain control in Iran. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Stability is continuing to erode across the Middle East with another day of large-scale combat. &nbsp;
The White House advises its military attacks on Iran could last weeks.&nbsp;
The strikes have killed Iran's Supreme Leader and numerous officials and more than 1250 targets have already been struck. &nbsp;
Tehran's been retaliating, sending strikes over surrounding countries, with six US servicemen among the dead.&nbsp;
National Security Expert Matthew Schmidt told Ryan Bridge that when all is said and done, there are a few basic groups who may gain control in Iran.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Matthew Schmidt: New Haven University’s Director of International Affairs and National Security Expert on the conflict in the Middle East

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c3f231c1-d28e-4617-a048-b4010170b548/transcript

The Prime Minister’s being accused of playing politics over Iran. 

Christopher Luxon says the Government will make a decision very shortly on whether to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity. 

Former Foreign Minister Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge if Luxon wanted to take a stand, he should have done it already, as moving now would look opportunistic. 

He's questioning why the Government's treating Iran differently than countries like Russia, and thinks we need consistency. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

The Prime Minister’s being accused of playing politics over Iran.&nbsp;
Christopher Luxon says the Government will make a decision very shortly on whether to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity.&nbsp;
Former Foreign Minister Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge if Luxon wanted to take a stand, he should have done it already, as moving now would look opportunistic.&nbsp;
He's questioning why the Government's treating Iran differently than countries like Russia, and thinks we need consistency.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Phil Goff: Former Foreign Minister on the Government's stance on the conflict in the Middle East

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f1e2ad55-5e4d-4f1a-97ec-b40101223e3e/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 3rd of March 2025, New Haven University Director of International Affairs and National Security Expert Matthew Schmidt shares the reaction from the US following the latest developments with Iran. 

The captain of the Manawanui Commander Yvonne Gray, is among three navy officers being charged over its sinking in Samoa last year, Massey University Centre for Defence and Security Studies Senior Fellow John Battersby shares his thoughts. 

The PM’S signalling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could soon be officially listed as a terrorist organisation here, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former Minister of Defence Phil Goff tells Ryan how New Zealand should react to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on a state of emergency in central Australia following torrential rain and Aussie dairy farmers want law changes to stop labelling non-dairy products as "milk". 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 3rd of March 2025, New Haven University Director of International Affairs and National Security Expert Matthew Schmidt shares the reaction from the US following the latest developments with Iran.&nbsp;
The captain of the Manawanui Commander Yvonne Gray, is among three navy officers being charged over its sinking in Samoa last year, Massey University Centre for Defence and Security Studies Senior Fellow John Battersby shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
The PM’S signalling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could soon be officially listed as a terrorist organisation here, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former Minister of Defence Phil Goff tells Ryan how New Zealand should react to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on a state of emergency in central Australia following torrential rain and Aussie dairy farmers want law changes to stop labelling non-dairy products as "milk".&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 03 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ff7fa345-3c7f-40d6-9ebb-b401011a97a8/transcript

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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