Port Otago has consents to deepen and widen the main shipping channel, between Port Chalmers and Taiaroa Head, to open the way for larger shipping in the future, but had not yet announced a start date for dredging.
The Next Generation programme could be done over several years by Port Otago, or with the use of domestic or international contractors to speed up completion.
Chief executive Geoff Plunket said the purpose of the trial, for up to 30 days from this week until the end of April, would determine New Era's effectiveness and productivity, and to work in five areas in the lower harbour where materials had not previously been dredged.
''This will give a better understanding of how well the New Era can handle these materials,'' Mr Plunket said.
The dredging is at depth, as opposed to channel widening, and the material was expected to be more compacted and take longer to dredge.
The spoil would go to usual in-shore disposal sites.
The trial dredging would be carried out from Monday to Friday in conjunction with usual maintenance dredging within the harbour, Mr Plunket said.
