A Tauranga fire spokesperson said a small fire had developed in the number one hold in the bow of the vessel.
The spokesperson said port authorities, the fire service and the ship's crew were involved in removing burnt material and assessing fire spread.
Five fire appliances and 21 fire service personnel are involved.
The Lucy Oldendorff is the same ship fire crew attended on Monday morning, when crew saw smoke coming from inside the number one hold.
At the time, a fire crew spokesperson said there had been a fire in the hold but it appeared to be out.