Pumping operations are set to resume Thursday on the ill-fated MV Rena as weather gets better in Bay of Plenty, calming the waters except for light breezes and mild swells.

An exclusion zone around the ship is also being reviewed today by Tauranga's harbour master, as Maritime New Zealand salvage unit manager Bruce Anderson plans the oil pumping process from MV Rena to the bunker barge Awanuia.

"It's not a simple pumping arrangement," Anderson told New Zealand Herald, adding that the process could not be rushed to avoid any more oil spill into the ocean.

"The last thing we want to do is rush this and then have an oil spill from the pumping process," he said.

The NZ Herald reported that MV Rena did not seem to have suffered additional damage last night through the ill weather.

Oil and debris was continuing to wash up at Papamoa and Mt Maunganui beaches, and East Cape. An estimated number of 6000 volunteers have so far registered to provide assistance in the clean-up process.

The large crack on Rena's starboard side had widened over past days but the surveying team said the condition had not significantly gotten worse.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said the Rena situation has been a "real waiting game" due to the bad weather, and it has been frustrating to salvors and everyone else.

Joyce did not provide detailed information on how the cost of damages and salvage efforts will be paid.

Ongoing talks between the Crown, lessees Mediterranean Shipping Company and Costamare were legally privileged, Joyce said, adding there is no figure yet as to the final cost of the disaster.

"We will be fully resolving those matters as to who is liable for what," he said.

MV Rena's owner Costamare on Wednesday thanked everyone in the salvage and clean-up operations, but did not clarify whether its insurance cover would meet all costs incurred in the process.

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