KEY POINTS:
The Australian adventurers battling their way across the Tasman Sea in a kayak are feeling the pain of their 2200km journey.
James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24, are just 140km from New Plymouth and are expected to reach the Taranaki coast by Saturday.
Their spokesman Tom Mitchell told the Herald the pair were in pain and couldn't wait to land in New Zealand.
"James is suffering from prickly heat, which is like having needles sticking into your body. He said it was worse in his legs and about a seven or eight on a pain scale of 10 - and these are pretty tough blokes."
Mr Mitchell last spoke to them on Tuesday night and said they seemed determined.
"They were on a mission. They want to get a nice reception in New Plymouth and have asked for dancers ... that was their number one request."
A magnum of champagne was likely as well as was a break from the water.
"They haven't said anything about rest. Just a shower, shave and seeing people is what they're after."
In a podcast on Tuesday night, Mr Castrission said they still enjoyed paddling but were enduring tough weather.
However, their biggest problem was sore backsides.
"We've been sitting on them now for a long time."
The pair left Forster, 300km north of Sydney, on November 13 with the original intention of arriving in Auckland by Christmas.
