A man spent about eight hours battling cold waters after his kayak capsized off Coromandel yesterday.
The man, in his 40s, had set out on a fishing trip from Kereta, north of Thames, when he struck trouble. His kayak capsized around 3pm and he battled through the cold water to get back to shore.
He was found by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter around 11pm hypothermic, obviously distressed and extremely fatigued.
Crewman Mark "Tinny" Cannell said the man was "an extremely lucky guy".
The kayaker's neighbour called police when he hadn't returned from his fishing trip about 6.30pm.