The rescue of more oiled penguins is getting off to a creaky start.

The former Maritime New Zealand 0800 numbers have been changed, leaving some penguins languishing in hot water cupboards while help is found.

Oiled penguins found washed ashore near Mount Maunganui on Sunday. Photo: Paul Griffiths.

The new number to call for both penguin and container sightings is 0800 333 771.

Tauranga resident Paul Griffiths says he was lucky.

He had just found two oiled penguins while walking around Mount Maunganui on Sunday afternoon.

'We were lucky when we found them – the next person to come strolling along was a clean-up volunteer who knew the contact number for the penguin people,” says Paul. 'They just got us to take them home and then they came out here and picked them up.

'We did suggest they put some signs up round there with phone numbers to contact.

'Considering the amount of people walking round there, there's no phone numbers.

Maritime New Zealand has changed its 0800 numbers for oiled wildlife sightings. Sightings of oiled wildlife, containers and debris should be phoned in to 0800 333 771.

'We'll definitely be going back around today to have another look – the more people that are out there, the more people that can notice them.”

MNZ has reported five oiled penguins were found on Sunday and another today, all around Mauao. Patrols are on the beaches today looking for more.

'If anybody has one in a hot water cupboard or anywhere else, call the 0800 number immediately and the oiled wildlife team will pick them up,” says MNZ spokesperson Michelle Poole.

'They are out on the beaches patrolling at the moment and I'm sure they will divert to pick them up.”

Seen containers, debris or oiled wildlife wash ashore? Phone 0800 SUNLIVE with your news tip.

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