Salvors are getting closer to having fewer than 1000 containers onboard the Rena, stuck on the Astrolabe Reef since October 5.

Their container lifting operations removed nine from the deck of the Rena on Tuesday – bringing the total removed by Svitzer to 252.

Rena's open deck is slowly clearing. Photo: LOC.

There were 1368 containers onboard the Rena when it ran aground, with 89 later washing overboard during a storm.

The total number of containers onboard today is 1027.

This morning the crane barge Smit Borneo was repositioned on the starboard side of Rena and container lifting is expected to resume this afternoon.

Weather conditions are forecast to remain fine over Christmas with light winds from the northeast, turning east later and the swell dropping.

The Maritime New Zealand oil spill response aerial observation team noted an oil sheen seen on Tuesday west of Motiti was not visible this morning.

A narrow band of metallic rainbow sheen is visible for a couple of kilometres northwest of Rena.

Shoreline clean-up assessment teams are working towards Papamoa today.

Rock washing continues on Mauao, along with hand cleaning at Matakana.

At Motiti, the focus is on the western side to prepare areas for the next bird release.

Oiled debris was found at Kaituna on Tuesday by the river mouth.

A wildlife team surveyed Motiti's southwestern end overnight, but found no oiled penguins. Thirteen clean birds were seen.

The wildlife teams are helping with rock washing today.