Transport Minister Steven Joyce says work to pump oil off the Rena won't resume until next week at the earliest.
Mr Joyce says conditions near the stranded container ship remain stormy and further oil recovery efforts are days away.
Maritime New Zealand says salvors returned to the ship on Wednesday, after rough weather forced a temporary halt to the salvage operation.
[image:3580:half:right]Salvage unit manager Bruce Anderson says nine salvors are on the ship, which grounded on the Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga four weeks ago.
Mr Anderson says the salvors are inspecting the ship for further damage and are also transferring oils and lubricants into tanks to be pumped off the ship.
He says while it appears the ship did not sustain further damage overnight, they have not yet had a chance yet to look at buckling that became apparent on Sunday.
Mr Anderson says over the next few days, as the sea settles, divers will assess the status of the new fracture.
