The crew of the container ship grounded on the Astrolabe Reef since Wednesday is ashore for the first time after it was evacuated this morning.

There are about 25 crew, many of Filipino descent, and they were brought into the Port of Tauranga at about 1pm today aboard the HMNZS Taupo.

Maritime New Zealand emergency responders assist Rena crew members disembarking from the HMNZS Taupo at the Port of Tauranga.

This ship also delivered a navy sailor to shore in a stretcher. Both the nature of the injuries and the means by which he sustained them is unknown.

A mayday call was made from the stranded ship, Rena, this morning at which time navy vessels patrolling the shipwreck site moved to collect the crew.

Maritime New Zealand salvage unit manager Bruce Anderson says the evacuation is a precautionary measure as the vessel is moving.

The movement was triggered by the overnight storm when more than 3m swell and 30-40 knot northeasterly winds buffeted the vessel, partially re-correcting its port-side lean.

Since it grounded on the Astrolabe Reef last Wednesday it has been on an 11 degree port-side lean and is now on a five degree port-side lean.

Bruce says while there is some new damage to the ship, it is not breaking-up.

'The vessel is not going to break up at this time; it is just refinding its equilibrium.”

An injured navy sailor was among the people brought ashore by the HMNZS Taupo.

Rena crew members wait to be attended by New Zealand Customs officials.