Work to remove the bow section of the wrecked container ship Rena, off Tauranga, could begin by the end of the week.
American salvage company Resolve says it is getting ready to start but a specific day is still to be confirmed because of forecast bad weather.
The Rena remains wedged on the Astrolabe Reef almost 10 months after the ship ran aground.
Resolve will use helicopters to lift sections of the bow as they are cut.
