Timeline for New Zealand's worst maritime environmental disaster after the Rena cargo ship hit a reef off the coast of Tauranga.

Wednesday, October 5

- The Tauranga-bound cargo ship Rena hits Astrolabe Reef at 2.14am.

- Reports say the ship carrying around 4700 containers is on a 10 degree lean and is leaking oil

October 6

- Divers inspect ship, pollution response team mobilised, transport investigators begin inquiry, first oil-covered wildlife found dead, salvors appointed

October 9

-First attempt to pump oil off Rena

October 10

- Oil begins washing up on local beaches

October 11

- It is estimated that up to 350 tonnes of heavy fuel oil has leaked from the ship

October 12

- Captain Mauro Balomaga, 44, and navigation officer Leonil Relon, 37, charged with operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk and granted name suppression, more containers lost overboard in heavy seas, crack appears in hull of ship.

November 2

- Resource Management Act charges laid against Balomaga and Relon

November 13

- The bulk of the oil left on Rena removed from the ship

November 16

- First container removed from rear section of Rena

December 21

- Balomaga and Relon charged with wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice by altering the ship's documents after it grounded

January 8

- Rena splits in two after storm

February 24

- Wildlife response team stood down

February 29

- Rena captain, Balomaga, admits all charges laid against him, navigation officer Relon pleads guilty to two charges

March 8

- Interim report into the grounding finds the crew took shortcuts on journey and hit reef travelling at 17 knots

April 4

- Stern section sinks after rough seas

April 5

- Rena's owner, Greece-based Daina Shipping charged with discharging harmful substances into sea

May 25

- Balomaga and Relon sentenced to seven months' jail for offences relating to the grounding. The men were not fined.