Kaikoura's mayor is hoping there will be at least one way in and out of the quake-stricken seaside settlement by the end of the week.

Winston Gray told Mike Hosking everyone was working solidly to restore access in and out of Kaikoura on the inland road.

Engineers from Kaikoura and Hurunui were looking at what was required bridge-wise and removing landslips off the road.

"We can't put a time on that but we'd hope by week's end that it'll be looking promising - possibly earlier - but we can't put a timeframe yet as they haven't walked or looked at everything."

Gray said the Army was due to fly in fresh supplies this morning and people would be ferried out 20 at a time.

He said only one flight was possible last night before bad weather hampered rescue operations.

They were also keenly awaiting the arrival of the naval ship, HMNZS Canterbury, to take out the bulk of the stranded holidaymakers.