Work to repair Kaikōura Harbour is about to start a new phase, as the initial dredging work wraps up.
Kaikōura Harbour Photo: Supplied
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake in November severely damaged the harbour, raising the seabed and limiting access to four hours a day.
Transport Agency earthquake recovery manager Steve Mutton said 20 percent of the $5 million budget had already been spent dredging the harbour.
"We are about to install new piles to enable the berth to be reinstalled", he said.
"We are hoping to have that work done by early August."
The berth piles had to be removed so the harbour could be dredged.
"We have been working with companies like Dolphin Encounters and Whale watch to make sure we are meeting their future needs", he said.
A barge would be brought in after Easter to continue dredging work further out from the harbour.
Mr Mutton said the Coastguard boat ramp would also be up and running in the next couple of weeks.
All repairs were expected to be finished by August.