Maritime New Zealand today admitted it should have acted quicker in organising volunteers to help with the cleanup from the stricken Rena.

The container ship has leaked more than 350 tonnes of oil and 88 containers have fallen from it since it hit the Astrolabe reef off the coast of Tauranga on Wednesday last week.

Latest info.

 * More than 95 tonnes of solid waste has been collected from beaches so far.

* 1000 people to hit the beaches for oil clean-up today.

* Mount Maunganui Beach to Maketu Point is closed to the public.

* Cleanup preparations are being made for Whakatane as the oil spreads

* 88 containers have now fallen off the Rena. 20 of these have washed ashore.

* 500 birds have been found as at yesterday afternoon

* Anyone wanting to help out with the clean-up effort can phone 0800 645 774, register online, or go to the visiting Mt Maunganui, Omanu or Papamoa Surf Clubs.

NZHerald