The salvage company working on the wreck of the Rena says it is currently far too dangerous to go near the remains of the vessel, but it estimates the rear section is now 97% submerged.
Svitzer Salvage spokesperson Matthew Watson told Morning Report that about half of the ship's containers have been removed, but a few tonnes of oil are believed to be still aboard the ship.
The ship grounded on Astrolabe reef off Tauranga in October and broke in two in January.
A spokesperson for Braemer-Howells, the company recovering debris, says the stern section may just have slipped onto a lower part of the reef.
