Maritime

A derelict old ship with a vivid history is about to get a new life, recommissioned as a marine education centre.

A $77 million write-off of the Navy ship HMNZ Manawanui, which sank off Samoa last October, is contained in the Budget papers on defence.

It's a tale of two coastlines: Royals and heads of government meet on one coast and villages live in fear on the other, as diesel leaks from the wrecked HMNZS Manawanui. Audio

Oil seeping from the wreck of the navy's Manawanui is not from the ship's main tanks - but removing them is first on the list for the recovery team, the Defence Force says.

The tanker is reportedly linked to Israel, and the strike follows Houthi attacks on Red Sea ships.