New Zealand defence chief slams ‘misogynistic’ trolling over ship sinking

The female captain of a navy ship that ran aground and sank off the coast of Samoa has received “misogynistic” criticism, according to New Zealand’s defense chief.

According to Judith Collins, the New Zealand defense minister, “armchair admirals” were promoting the false theory that the captain’s gender was to blame for the sinking of the ship.

“I thought, seriously, in 2024 – what the hell is going on here with people who are sitting there in their armchair operating a keyboard making comments about people that they do not know, about an area they do not know, and they are just vile”, Collins told reporters.

“Where’s a bit of decency”?

Following the vessel’s loss on Sunday, Collins claimed that women wearing uniform had been abused in the street.

“This is outrageous behaviour, and New Zealand is not known for this, and we are better than it”, she said.

On Saturday night, the HMNZS Manawanui ran aground close to Upolu, Samoa, before catch fire and capsize. With only minor injuries, the 75 passengers were all evacuated to safety.

A New Zealand navy ship has been destroyed since World War II, and this was the first ship to sink.

The cause of the incident has been the subject of an investigation launched by the New Zealand Defence Force.

Collins became New Zealand’s first female defence minister after the centre-right National Party was victorious in last year’s general elections.

In June, Major General Rose King was appointed chief of the country’s army, becoming the first woman to lead a branch of the military.

About 20 percent of New Zealand’s uniformed military personnel are women.

New Zealand is known for its commitment to promoting gender equality.