New Zealand naval vessel runs aground near Samoa

An Air Force P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane has been sent to assist the rescue operation, he added.

The incident happened as the vessel was conducting a reef survey, he said.

HMNZS Manawanui is the navy's specialist dive and hydrographic vessel, used to conduct a range of specialist diving, salvage and survey tasks around New Zealand and across the south west Pacific.