Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has ordered an inquiry into the "embarrassing" beaching of a navy barge after it hit rocks near Whangarei.
"Clearly there's been some sort of error of judgment," he told reporters on Wednesday.
"I think it's embarrassing, quite frankly, and I want some clear answers - we obviously wouldn't want this happening every day of the week."
The 14-metre barge was on its way south after being used to transport VIPs during Waitangi Day celebrations in Paihia when it got into trouble about 7am on Wednesday near Tutukaka, 30km northeast of Whangarei.
It then ran ashore in Tutukaka Marina, where it remains.
Dr Coleman says he doesn't want to prejudge the precise circumstances and the crew should get a fair hearing.
"I want a full inquiry so I know exactly what happened."
Navy spokeswoman Lieutenant Commander Angela Barker told NZ Newswire two navy investigators from the Devonport base in Auckland were on their way to the marina.
They're going to try to find out what happened and figure out the best way to get the boat back to Auckland.
"One option may be to patch it up and tow it back," she said.
Only the forward section of the boat, built in 1980, was damaged so there was no chance of an oil spill because the oil was in the stern.
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