Tauranga kayaker Tim Taylor is on the ‘home stretch' of his mission to kayak round New Zealand after re-crossing Cook Strait on Saturday.

He crossed from Cape Koamaru at the northern most tip of Arapawa Island to Plimmerton, arriving there about 3pm.

'He went out and had a look,” says Tim's mum Lyn Taylor.

'At one stage he was right on the top of Arapawa Island, he pulled in there – said it was a bit rough.

'The forecast was for four metre swells, we were a bit concerned, but my husband said ‘let the swells and the wind take you, it doesn't matter where you land'.”

The record on his Spot Tracker shows how the set carried him north along the coast to Plimmerton, on the canoe path that was a more common voyage in the 19^th century.

'So that was all to plan and it made him go into Plimmerton,” says Lyn.

'He rang as soon as he got there. He said a swear word and then awesome, he said

He was very, very happy.”

He was met by a cousin. On Sunday Tim continued up the coast to Otaki and today he expects to reach Himitangi by mid afternoon.

He's going to meet up with some of the team from sponsor, Palmerston North based Mission Kayaks.

Being back on the North Island coast puts Tim back within reach of direct family support. His parents expect to meet him in New Plymouth this weekend.

But while it seems he's back on home territory, he's still got 1800km to paddle to Tauranga.

'I know the west coast is unforgiving but it just seems so much safer than Stewart Island and the Fiordland area,” says Lyn.

The picture of Tim, taken at Otaki is by Ian Richards, who has been following Tim's progress.

'He's just come out of the woodwork,” says Lyn.

'He's an English guy who brought his family over here because he felt New Zealand was a better place to bring up children.”

Tim left Tauranga on his mission on November 27.

Tim has paddled a total of 3805km with 76 days on the water and 54 days stuck onshore. This is an average of about 50km paddling per day when on the water.