There are containers on Waihi Beach today and at least two in the upper harbour near Ongare Point.

Cargo from the container ship Rena on Astrolabe Reef spilled into the sea on Saturday night during rough weather.

An estimated 200-300 containers were lost at this time with many expected to have sunk near the reef.

Containers wash ashore at Waihi Beach. Photo: Kelly Comrie.

Waihi Beach Coastguard president Murray Whitehead says there are about five containers on Waihi Beach today near the Island View store and at least two more that have come through the Bowentown entrance overnight.

Others are still afloat.

Maritime New Zealand says contractor Braemar Howells is tagging and anchoring floating containers prior to removal, but MNZ was unable to locate where floating containers have been found.

On Sunday, floating containers were sighted in a west-northwest direction from the wreck, about 8-10 miles north of the Port of Tauranga entrance.

The port is resuming monitoring of shipping channels using side-scan sonar and magnetometer sweeping.

Ships arriving and departing the Port of Tauranga are advised to exercise extreme caution and maintain a vigilant lookout.

Because of the debris hazard, the roadstead anchorages off the ocean beach are not to be used until further notice.

Shipping waiting to enter port is advised to drift north of Mayor Island.

Video of a milk powder bag washing up on Waihi Beach supplied by Darren Bruning.

Seen containers, debris or oiled wildlife wash ashore? Phone 0800 SUNLIVE with your news tip. email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz

Taylor Bethune, aged 12, took these photographs of containers washed up on Waihi Beach from Three Mile Creek South.