In his final preparations for a record-setting attempt to paddle solo around New Zealand, Tauranga kayaker Tim Taylor is finding out the sport can involve a lot of paperwork.
'I've planned every single stop and I'm putting in a lot of map work for the support crew so people can see where they have to go; now I see why people have offices,” says Tim.

Tim aboard his summer home.

He's planning to paddle off from Tauranga on November 27 – heading for East Cape.
The total journey around New Zealand is expected to take three to six months. Tim's timing it to be at the roughest patch of New Zealand coast – Fiordland, in January or February.
But he's realistic about the possibility of having to sit on a beach during an expected La Nina summer.
'My cut off limit is 20 knots for a wind that's head on,” says Tim.
'With tail wind it is about 30. If it's really bad I will have to sit on a beach and ride it out.”
People who have made similar coastal kayak voyages have told stories about being forced to sit on a single beach for a week at a time,” says Tim.
'It's an event I'm prepared for.”
New Zealand's rugged coastline is about 15,134 km in length. Tim plans to travel in a clockwise direction around the country to make the most of tidal flows, covering an estimated 60-100 kms a day.
Tim will paddle a 5.4m Mission Eco Bezhig kayak. He'll paddle for two five hour sessions a day, coming ashore in the evening to camp.
Wearing a lifejacket and equipped with gear including a satellite phone and emergency locator beacon, the long-time kayaker says becoming the first person to kayak solo around the entire country in a single voyage will be fulfilling a long-held dream.
The country was first circumnavigated by Paul Caffyn in the 70s, over a period of several years, but Tim is intending to be first to round the three main islands – North, South and Stewart Island – in one voyage.
If you want to follow Tim or support him on his journey, check out his website www.nzkayaker.com for more details.