Prime Minister John Key says he is concerned at the images being broadcast worldwide of closed beaches covered in oil as a consequence of the Rena grounding.
Maritime New Zealand has announced that all beaches from Mt Maunganui to Maketu in Bay of Plenty are closed as of midday Thursday, because of the oil pollution and loose containers washing ashore.
Mr Key, who is also Tourism Minister, says New Zealand relies on its clean green image to attract visitors.
He says potential visitors are likely to be worried about environmental damage in the short-term but expects that in the long term there will be no effect on New Zealand's image abroad.
Mr Key says people will understand that accidents happen and that container shipping is required to transport goods to and from New Zealand.
He says he is worried about the container with the hazardous chemical ferrosilicate that has fallen off the stranded vessel and is unaccounted for.