New Zealanders are being deceived about the environmental disaster unfolding on the Astrolabe Reef.

That's the claim from New Zealand First conservation spokesperson Clayton Mitchell, who has labelled claims that the reef is well and rejuvenating after the Rena ran aground in 2011 as 'completely untrue”.

Rena pictures avoid toxic areas say NZ First. Photo: File.

The former Tauranga City Councillor, who became a first list MP last October, says: 'We have been told that footage given to media deliberately avoids huge areas which look like a toxic wasteland, and the truth is there are no longer crayfish/crustaceans or reef fish out there.

'There are copper containers down there and canisters of chlorine that salvage crews have been told to leave behind. It's a toxic mess.

'They have found seven cubic metres of fuel that is leaking into the ocean on a daily basis.

'While the expectation was for salvage efforts to continue in good faith until the hearing in June, we are hearing the insurance company is completely demobilising their salvage crews.”

Two separate reports on the Rena from eyewitness accounts reveal the level of deception involved regarding the unfolding environmental disaster, says Clayton.

New Zealand First have also been told that the main salvage crew and other subsidiary crews are pulling out.

'The crews are not on stand-down,” adds Clayton. 'They are actually waiting to be demobilized. They are packing up their gear and moving to new jobs elsewhere. They are leaving the mess behind.”

'Both Simon Bridges and the National Government are letting them get away with this and it's just not good enough.

'NZ First is calling for an immediate independent inquiry into the true state of the Astrolabe Reef.”

SunLive reported the salvage was being paused on February 4.