01 December 2006

A man kayaking from Australia to New Zealand will need his passport handy when he arrives at Milford Sound because immigration authorities will be there to greet him.

Australian kayaker Andrew McAuley, who this weekend will begin his attempt at the first solo kayak crossing of the Tasman Sea, has been approached by New Zealand Customs after he failed to contact the department about his travel plans.

"You know it's a long kayak trip when you need your passport," McAuley said.

McAuley, 39, who plans to end his 1600km trip at Milford Sound, will be met by a Customs officer and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) staff.

Customs southern chief officer Neville Brown said the department had contacted McAuley after learning of his plans.

Brown said people planning to enter New Zealand without going through an official Customs port were required to let Customs know of their arrival. "Because he's coming into Milford, Milford's not a Customs port, so he needs to get permission from us to actually do that," Brown said.

After being contacted by Customs, McAuley had made a request for entry, and Brown said the department would send someone from Invercargill to meet him at Milford. McAuley would need to present his passport.

MAF South Island manager Kevin Kennett said ministry staff would also meet McAuley to check for food and inspect the boat for anything that had become attached to it during the trip.

McAuley said he had planned to get in touch with Customs officials but they had contacted him first and given him approval for the trip.

"They're actually really helpful; really positive about the trip."

The food he was carrying would be freeze-dried and did not pose any risks, he said.

Weather permitting, McAuley will set off from Port Arthur, Tasmania, this weekend.

(Source: NZ Newspapers)