While salvors and container removal teams at the Rena will be working through Christmas, some of those badly affected by the oil spill will get an unexpected trip away.
Maritime New Zealand says the release of 25 little blue penguins this week that have been cared for at the oiled wildlife centre means the number of birds left is well down.
"This leaves 15 penguins and one dotterel still in care at Te Maunga oiled wildlife facility," it said.
"These animals will be taken to Massey University for care during the Christmas break."
Wildlife operations will continue over the holiday break at Mt Maunganui and Leisure Island, but the team at Motiti Island will have a break between Christmas Day and early into 2012.
Staff remain on standby to respond to new reports of oiled wildlife.
The Svitzer salvage teams will continue work as normal over the Christmas period on the Rena, which has deteriorated further, Maritime NZ says.
The container removal team will also keep working as they try to take advantage of a good weather forecast. To date 252 of the original 1368 containers on board have been unloaded.
Oil spill response activity will be scaled back but teams remain on standby in case more oil is released.
"We know there is still oil on the wreck that the salvage team can't reach," Maritime NZ national on scene commander Rob Service said.
"We are ready to launch another large scale-response if and when that oil is released."
The Rena ran aground on October 5, causing a significant oil spill and triggering a tier 3, or national level, oil spill response.
The ship's captain, 44, and navigation officer, 37, both Filipinos, were charged in October with offences under the Maritime Transport Act and Resource Management Act, and new charges of perverting the course of justice were laid on Wednesday.
NZN