The search continues for a Tauranga man missing since the stolen dinghy he and four others were in capsized in heavy seas.

The distressed family of a man who went overboard from a stolen dinghy in Tauranga Harbour last night are praying for his safe return.

The Tauranga Hospital carpark was transformed into an emergency decontamination zone after a man came into fatal contact with a toxic herbicide.

New test results from more than 30,000 samples indicate the Bay of Plenty has recovered well from oil spilled from the Rena.

The severed foot of a man involved in a grisly accident at the Port of Tauranga this morning was transferred with him to hospital.

Tauranga woman on trial for bashing her sister and encouraging her pitbull puppy to join in the savage attack told a police detective that she "just went feral".

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee said he was satisfied the deal with Daina Shipping Company was the best possible outcome.

Police in Tauranga borrowed a kayak to rescue a drunk woman who fell into the harbour and took refuge on the back of a moored boat.

Police have been heavily criticised for failing to abandon a pursuit that endangered the public and culminated in the deaths of two young men.

Compensation claims by Bay of Plenty businesses for Rena-related losses will exceed the $11.5 million fund proposed by the ship's owners, a claimants' lawyer says.

The scavengers of the sky are now hitting Mount Maunganui's cafe scene, dive-bombing al fresco customers, knocking over coffees and defecating on patrons.