Clean-up crews are working tirelessly to contain the oil spill in Tauranga Harbour, with 12 tonnes of oily waste scooped up so far and counting.

That's the message from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in their latest update, which says a 70-strong clean-up crew worked yesterday to clean up oil at Maungatapu and the Bridge Marina, with shoreline assessments continuing.

Some 12 tonnes of oily waste has been collected so far. Photos: Supplied.

The workers included staff from Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council, Ministry for Primary Industries fisheries officers, Envirowaste, trained oil responders from Waikato Regional Council and volunteers from local iwi/hapu and the community.

Clean-up crews scooped up oil and oiled debris at all sites. By the end of Thursday, they had collected a total of 12 tonnes of waste and oil-covered vegetation, as well as sand and debris from the Maungatapu and Motuopuhi Island shoreline and the Bridge Marina.

This work is continuing today, with waste being disposed of by Envirowaste at the specialist facility at Hampton Downs in the Waikato.

Some water-borne oil remains well-contained under the port wharf by about 70 booms, which can absorb up to 20 litres of oil each. The booms are being replaced with fresh ones today and on-water oil recovery will progress if conditions allow.

Scientists from Regional Council and the University of Waikato, accompanied by iwi, are surveying affected areas of the harbour and taking samples to measure any impacts on shellfish and sea grass. It will be a few weeks before analysis of the first sampling round is completed.

One moderately oiled penguin was found on Wednesday night, before being cleaned and released the following evening. Mauao Wildlife Trust volunteers are continuing to check penguin roosts on Mauao and Motoriki (Leisure Island) each night.

Effects on birdlife appear to remain minimal. Department of Conservation staff have been checking high tide roost sites and other areas around the harbour. While a small number of lightly oiled shags, penguins and gulls been observed, they have not required capture.

Any oiled wildlife found should be reported to DOC on: 0800 362 468.

Boaties are reminded not to clean their boats or gear with any aggressive chemicals as this may cause more contamination. Please contact your marina operator for advice.

The Regional Council has provided pads, disposal bags and skips and protective gloves at the marina to help boaties keep their berths clean.

People should stay away from oil wash-up areas. Oil slicks or oiled vessels should be reported to the Regional Council's Pollution Hotline, on: 0800 884 883, or via email to: [email protected]

Mobil, who have taken full responsibility for the spill, have set up two 0800 numbers. For boat owners looking for advice, call: 0800 895 011. Boat owners that want to make insurance claims to Mobil should call: 0800 692 524.