A man who was treated for hypothermia yesterday after he tumbled from his kayak while out at sea has been praised by police for averting a tragedy.
Tauranga police Senior Sergeant Chris Summerville said the man, in his 50s, fell into the water about 3km offshore from Papamoa.
The man could not get back into the kayak but managed to call his wife on his cellphone with his location and predicament.
Mr Summerville said the man's wife called emergency services about midday.
The man clung to his kayak for about two hours.
As police and Tauranga Coastguard responded, a passing boat was alerted by the man's calls for help.
The boat picked up the man and alerted the coastguard that they were coming in.
The kayaker was taken back to Pilot Bay, where he was treated by St John ambulance before being taken to Tauranga Hospital. Mr Summerville said the man had done the right thing by wearing a wetsuit and lifejacket, which had helped save his life. Tauranga Coastguard operations manager Simon Barker said the man appeared to have been in the water "quite a long time".