Cargo ship Rena breaks up on New Zealand reef - in pictures

The Rena breaks into two on Astrolabe reef off Motiti island, on New Zealand's east coast Photograph: Action Press/Rex Features

The stern section of the Rena slips off the reef after breaking away in heavy swells. Photograph: Graeme Brown/Maritime New Zealand via Getty Images

A digger collects bags of milk powder washed up on Waihi beach Photograph: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images

Volunteers check on a washed-up container at Waihi beach Photograph: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images

The front section of the grounded container ship, Rena, remains wedged on the reef after the stern broke away. Photograph: Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images

Bags of milk powder washed ashore from the Rena lie on the sand at Waihi beach. Photograph: Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images

Segments of a shipping container are washed ashore on Waihi beach Photograph: Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images

Debris floats around the Rena as the stern section slips off a reef where it has been wedged for three months Photograph: LOC/Reuters

Containers washed up on Waihi beach Photograph: Cleo Fraser/EPA

One half of the cargo ship Rena sinks on the Astrolabe reef Photograph: Graeme Brown/AP

A boy jumps over washed up bags of milk powder at Waihi beach Photograph: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images