Three brand new reefs will be created from the remains of the Rena disaster

The container ship ran aground off the Tauranga coast in 2011 - causing an oil spill that devastated wildlife in the area.

The new reefs signed off by Conservation Minister Kiri Allen will be permanently protected from fishing.

Forest and Bird chief executive Kevin Hague says they will become important zones for restoring ocean life.

He says while the reefs are important, it's sobering to note only one percent of the bay will be protected for nature.