Large fractures in the hull of the stricken cargo ship Rena are getting worse, increasing the chances the ship will break up after aerial footage showed the hull of the vessel grounded on Astrolabe Reef off the coast of Tauranga has cracked open.

The environmental and marine impact of the Rena disaster has proved devastating, and is still unfolding. These graphic images help tell the story.

Face masks could be issued to those living near beach areas affected by oil leaking from the MV Rena, which has lost up to 70 containers overnight. The ship's captain has been charged over the incident and granted bail after a court appearance..

A Tauranga man will end his life with a huge party where everyone will get the chance to insult, embarrass and humiliate him.

Two young brothers found in open water yesterday had no VHF, no GPS, didn't say where they were going and didn't know how to use the old flares they had on board.