Missing kayaker's body washed up on beach

The body of an English kayaker who went missing two days ago has washed up on a beach in the Tasman District.

Police have named the 34-year-old as Rupert Martin.

Senior Constable Phil Wylie of the Nelson police said Mr Martin's body was found by a local resident early this morning on the western shoreline of Golden Bay, about 20km northwest of Takaka, where he had started his trip.

The body was about 3km west of where he was last seen on Saturday morning about 10am, about 1km out to sea.

Mr Wylie said an extensive search of the shoreline and sea was launched on Saturday afternoon and continued on Sunday.

The empty kayak was found in Wainui Bay around 9.40am yesterday.

His paddle was picked up by a fishing boat about seven nautical miles out to sea around 9am.

"The fisherman didn't know until he got back to shore that there was a kayaker missing," Mr Wylie said.

He said Mr Martin's partner had identified his body this morning.

The owner of the Takaka backpackers lodge where Mr Martin and his Japanese partner had been staying for the last week said the couple had been intending to live in New Zealand.

Shambhala manager John Clere said the man had borrowed a kayak from the backpackers lodge.

His partner raised the alarm when he failed to return.

"I was away for the weekend, but I'm told it was quite a windy day.

"Even so, he's a fit and sensible 34-year-old, so I really don't know what could have happened....

"They'd been to New Zealand before and really liked it -- I understand they were thinking about living here."

- NZPA