About 100 people battled heavy rain and strong winds at Mount Maunganui Main Beach this morning to view the final mainland release of little blue penguins.

They gathered next to Leisure Island to watch as 46 little blue penguins made their way back into the sea next to Mauao, now clean from the oil spilt from the stricken Rena.

See video below of the final Mount Maunganui Main Beach penguin release.

Bad weather made it difficult for the small birds as they attempted to duck and dive through large waves and strong swells.

At times the penguins appeared to be pushed back into shore.

Oiled Wildlife Response Centre manager Helen McConnell says the released birds all came from the area and would make their way home.

'This is the last public release of the penguins.

'It was a mixture of people releasing them today; we have people from the wildlife facility, beach clean up and management from the ICC are all involved.”

At the wildlife centre in Te Maunga, a further 61 birds remain in captivity awaiting the all clear to return to their original habitat on Motiti Island.

'We are still assessing the habitat, there is still clean up work going on in that area.”

Helen says there are seven birds suffering from bumblefoot at the centre, a disease that attacks the feet of penguins.

She says their conditions are all improving and expects they will be ready for release this week.

Volunteer Bev Rendall has worked at the centre cleaning penguins for the last two months on a four day rotating roster.

'Working at the centre has been just fantastic, everyone has always been in great spirits and I have learnt a lot.”

She says one of the penguins released today is especially feisty, earning a reputation at the centre for being aggressive and taking a bite out of people where possible.

'If he had the chance he would have a parting go at someone, I'm sure.”

Centre operations manager Brett Gartrell says the number of operations staff at the centre next to Baypark is being reduced from 40 to 15.

He says staff will remain at the centre as long as there are birds, but less people are now required.

'It will be hard for the responders who have been working so hard for the last couple of months.”

He says there will be rotating staff on during the Christmas break to ensure the penguins are fed and cared for, while staff enjoy a special Christmas lunch on December 25.

Photos from the release supplied by Daniel Hines