Slightly more positive twist to the news tonight: thousands of volunteers are now being organised to help with the clean-up. Some communities are themselves personally paying for special compounds like alginates and using them to remove oil from rocks in their areas.

What does that say about the level and timeliness of "official" support? And politicians of all levels are hastening to add their spin to things - ludicrous pictures of the Labour Party's guy doing a photo-opp in white shirt, tie and shiny black shoes, shovelling oil off a beach. (Guess who believed he stayed there more than two minutes? Nobody, right!).

John Key, our Prime Minister has been shuttling back and forth round the region to not much effect, but at least he sensibly refused the offer of a shovel, saying he'd be better occupied coordinating... Not that much of that seems to be happening yet, but things are gradually coming together.

Pity about the dotterels. eh?