Maritime New Zealand says international pressure is not the reason for a review of the way it handled the search for the missing yacht Nina.
The Nina has not been seen since 29 May. Photo: AFP / 2012 file
Six Americans and a Briton were on the 21-metre wooden schooner when it vanished on a trip from the Bay of Islands to Australia in June 2013. The vessel was built in 1928.
Maritime New Zealand director Keith Manch says the high level of public interest prompted the independent investigation, but denies international pressure is behind the review or that it is an admission that the search was handled badly.
Mr Manch said the review was requested because of the large and complex search. He said Maritime New Zealand did a very good job, but it should be tested because of high public interest and what could be a significant loss of lives.
Mr Manch said there are 700 emails and several hundred pages of a search log to go through and there is no information suggesting that the Nina will ever be found.
An American company has continued the search, funded by relatives of those on board and a public appeal.
The review will be undertaken by an Australian expert who has been in New Zealand this week. meeting some of the families who urged officials to keep looking.
