Some positive news for paua rescuers on the Kaikoura coast.

Local iwi Ngai Tahu has granted Mike Vincent temporary customary rights, to help resettle the paua in the low-tide coastline.

It's a big victory for Mr Vincent, who faced threats from the Ministry for Primary Industries to leave the taonga alone or face consequences.

He says there's a limited window to save them.

"We've been granted three weeks by the local iwi to remove the paua from the low tide area here, which are dying and out of water, back into the water to save them."

Vincent is now casting his net to find others to help out.

Mr Vincent said he's grateful to local iwi for temporary rights, and is calling for helpers so they can save as many as they can.

"We need that help from the very start that came right from the very first day when we put the first paua back in the water, to that Saturday when we were stopped."