More than 370 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are in Tauranga to clean up the stricken container contents and oil scattered along Western Bay of Plenty beaches from Rena.

The Defence Force are continuing to support Maritime New Zealand, Government agencies and Tauranga residents with ships, aircraft and clean-up teams deployed to the area.

New Zealand defence forces and volunteers are working together to clean up Bay of Plenty beaches.

Soldiers from Army units around the North Island, armed with shovels and rakes, have been on Papamoa beach working alongside Maritime NZ personnel and civilian volunteers on the clean-up effort, collecting a total of 143 tonnes of debris.

Another 150 soldiers have joined the response operation again today.

Private Clayton Mills from the Auckland North Regiment says the task on the beach requires patience and commitment, working in protective equipment to gather the oil into bags for collection.

'It's a job that needs to done and we're glad we can help.”

Large amounts of oil have come ashore, closing beaches from Mount Maunganui to Maketu.

Volunteers are also starting their training today with the first deployment due to start at Fergusson Park at 12.30pm.

More than 70 soldiers are providing transport and catering support to the Army clean-up teams.

Navy war ship Endeavour, Manawanui, Rotoiti and Taupo remain assigned to the operation with the Pukaki shortly to replace Taupo.

Seasprite and Iroquois helicopters are also continuing to support Maritime NZ with aerial observation flights and transport of salvage experts to and from the Rena, with weather permitting.

'We have deployed a large number of people to Tauranga to assist Maritime NZ and that resource has been well used in a range of roles - from the Navy patrolling the exclusion zone and moving specialist people to and from the Rena; to Air Force and Navy helicopters providing support for reconnaissance and moving essential supplies; to soldiers helping clean-up the oil arriving on the shore.”

The trajectory of the oil since Rena run aground on Wednesday, October 5.