Boatie to be charged over kayaker's death in Okiwi Bay

The Wellington driver of a boat that hit and killed a kayaker in Okiwi Bay in Marlborough's Tasman Bay is to be charged with failing to keep a sufficient lookout.

Richard Taylor, 30, died of injuries he received after his kayak and a power boat collided on January 4.

Blenheim Detective Barry Raemaki said the 55-year-old Wellington boat driver would be charged this week with failing to have a sufficient lookout while operating a craft.

The charge under the Maritime Transport Act carries a maximum sentence of 12 months' imprisonment or a fine of $10,000.