Hundreds of newborn seal pups have been seen north of where the Ohau Point seal colony used to be.

A large slip came down on top of the iconic seal colony during last week's earthquake just weeks out from their breeding season.

The seals were presumed safe at sea but it was unknown where they would gather.

Kaikoura ranger Mike Morrissey said hundreds of seals have been seen in a similar spot north of the sanctuary.

"The rise of the sea has actually created more habitat," he said.

Many of the pups would have been born after the quake.

"A lot of the females that are giving birth at the moment have moved to there so it's great news really," Mr Morrissey said.

However he said it is clear the wildlife in Kaikoura has been affected by the earthquake.

"The only certain thing is that the landscape is changing and will continue to change over the coming weeks and months as aftershocks and landslips continue," he says.

He says assessing the impact on wildlife the region is famous for will take time.

So far from the sea and from the air Hector's dolphins and dusky dolphins have been seen along the Kaikoura coast.

Flocks of Hutton's shearwater seabirds have been seen feeding out at sea.

It is estimated that about 10 per cent to 15 per cent of their Kowhai Stream colony in the Kaikoura Ranges has been affected by slips.

Landslides have also affected the Hutton's shearwaters colony in Shearwater Stream but the extent of this is not yet known.

A full assessment of the impact of the earthquakes on wildlife may not take place before the end of the year.

Newstalk ZB / AAP