Maritime New Zealand has received a number of reports of oil sightings this weekend, as people return to Tauranga beaches.
This is the first weekend since the Rena ran aground on 5 October that all beaches are opened to the public.
Maritime NZ is reminding beach-goers not to touch the oil and to report it to the 0800 oil number instead, so that clean up-crews can respond.
A rapid response team will be on duty at the beaches on Sunday so that any sightings can be attended to quickly.
