A crane barge has left Tauranga harbour to take up position next to the Rena to start unloading containers.
The 47,000 tonne ship ran aground on the Astrolabe Reef, 12 nautical miles off the Bay of Plenty coast on 5 October.
Some 1260 containers are still on the decks of the ship and in its hold.
The Minister of Transport says the barge, ST60 can take off only six containers per day and the work could take up to seven months.
A second larger crane barge is on its way from Singapore. It will be used to access containers towards the bow of the ship, beyond the reach of the ST60.
Maritime NZsays the ST60 is likely to take at least a day to establish its position and ensure systems are working.
It says the work is complex and challenging and will be a slow methodical process.
