Maritime New Zealand is reporting more damage to the bow section of the Rena on Astrolabe Reef this week.

During an overflight on Thursday, MNZ noted new damage to the forward section between the No.2 and No.3 holds, with the bulkhead on the port side failing and opening to the sea.

The fore section is continuing to slowly break up. Photo: Maritme New Zealand.

The Rena's aft section is visible below the surface and a light oil sheen was seen drifting about 1km south east from the aft section. The sheen dispersed about 1.5 km from the wreck.

Svitzer salvage teams are continuing to land on the forward section of Rena, cutting hatch lids in preparation for removal by the heavy lift helicopter.

On Friday 24 hatch sections were expected to be lifted onto the Pohonui.

On Wednesday, the salvage team recovered and secured Rena's port anchor. A section of anchor chain was also removed for use as a future mooring point for the barge Smit Borneo, still alongside at the Port of Tauranga.

The tug Go Canopus has moved away from the south westerly winds to a more sheltered anchorage on the north east side of Motiti Island at Tumu Bay.

A tug boat has continued working around the Rena collecting any remaining debris that's surfaced from the wreck, and beach surveys and flotsam collection have been conducted at Matakana Island, Papamoa, Waihi Beach, Onemana, Bowentown and Te Kaha.

Once Braemar Howells has completed debris recovery work at Matapaua Bay, MNZ responders will conduct another survey of the area, most likely early next week, to determine whether any cleanup of oil or oily waste may be required.

About 60 tonnes of the debris washed up along Coromandel Beach in last week's storm has been removed, with the remainder being collected by Braemar Howells teams for helicopter lifts.

The flotsam includes bundles of timber and one tonne bags filled with debris ranging from pieces of wood to packets of noodles and plastic beads.

Braemar is continuing to work in cooperation with local people, including Thames Coromandel District Council and Waikato Regional Council staff and volunteers. The combined effort has produced excellent results at spots including Tairua, Sailor's Grave, Hotwater Beach and Pauanui.

Shoreline surveys were planned for Mt Maunganui and Leisure Island Friday and for the Sulphur Point/Kulim Park area and Mt Maunganui/Papamoa Beaches on Saturday.