Maritime New Zealand is preparing to lift a container from the Rena wreck by helicopter.

Container removal operations to-date have involved a crane barge, but the salvors are today assessing the lifting of a container loaded with milk powder by helicopter.

The Rena wreck. Photo: Svitzer.

The container is on the bow section of the broken vessel at the Astrolabe Reef.

The stern section remains mostly submerged and at rest on the reef with MNZ reporting there is no significant change to the state of the wreck.

Weather forecasts show swells are easing and winds are picking up – conditions which are likely to allow salvor dive survey operations to continue today.

MNZ oil spill response teams are planning to survey the Maketu Spit and Matakana Island today.

Four oiled penguins are being taken to Palmerston North on Wednesday and 3-6 are being returned to the Western Bay of Plenty following successful cleaning and waterproofing.

Motiti Island continues to be monitored for oiled wildlife.