Divers are hoping to take a closer inspection of the submerged stern section of the Rena wreck as early as today.

Tests are currently being carried out on the toxicity levels of water taken from inside the now submerged aft section of the wreck to ensure it is safe for salvors to enter.

As soon as those results are received a decision will be made on what salvage efforts can be undertaken.

The submerged stern section of the Rena with the bridge underwater. Photo: MNZ

Maritime New Zealand salvage unit manager Kenny Crawford says divers are still assessing the two sections of the vessel but dive conditions remain difficult because of the sea surges and jagged steel protruding from the wreck.

Divers were assessing the aft section of the ship on Thursday from the outside and will continue these observations today.

Meanwhile salvage operations to remove containers from the bow section of the Rena today as weather conditions are still at ease around the wreck at Astrolabe Reef.

A total of 14 containers have been removed from the bow since Wednesday, January 18 after the ship it broke apart during a storm on January 8.

MNZ salvage unit manager Kenny Crawford says a different method is being used to remove containers from the bow of the wreck, than was used to remove containers from the now submerged stern.

This is because the bow's position on the reef means the Smit Borneo cannot get close enough to the port side for the crane to remove containers.

Containers are now being de-vanned on deck of the ship with the contents removed by helicopter.

More milk powder emptied onto the deck from one of the containers will be removed today.

MNZ reports there is no change to the status of the wreck overnight and no reports of fresh oil leaking.

Environmental speciliaslists company Braemar Howells has dragged another container ashore at Anzac Bay in Bowentown Heads and will be unloading it today.

Clean up operations are continuing at Waihi Beach where more sheets of wood have washed ashore at the northern end near the surf club.

MNZ has dispatched a labour team on Thursday evening to tackle debris ashore at Whangaparoa on the East Cape.

A wildlife team is in the Eastern Bay of Plenty responding to reports of dead birds on beaches. These birds have been scanned to see if they have previously been micro-chipped.

A number of birds have been sent to Massey for autopsy to determine the cause of death.