There is no change to the status of the mostly submerged Rena wreck overnight with its stern section remaining on a 27 degree angle on the Astrolabe Reef.

The nil status change was determined by a Maritime New Zealand observation flight at first light today.

Image: Maritime NZ

The stern section of the ship slipped down the reef on Tuesday morning after the vessel separated into two sections on Saturday night during a storm that lashed it with 7m swells.

Maritime New Zealand says the observers on this morning's flight saw very little debris remaining around the wreck, but did note a light oil sheen emanating from the vessel.

An oil spill response observation flight last night confirmed no significant amounts of oil were coming ashore.

It is estimated less than 10 tonnes of oil was released from the vessel when its stern section slipped down the reef on Tuesday.

Maritime New Zealand oil spill response teams, wildlife teams and container recovery teams are activated and working today.

Any members of the public interested in assisting with the clean-up effort should visit www.boprc.govt.nz/oilspillvolunteers