Fed: Aust political pressure on NZ to continue kayaker search

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2007
Fed: Aust political pressure on NZ to continue kayaker search

Australia's consul-general in New Zealand is urging rescue authorities to continue
their search for missing trans-Tasman kayaker ANDREW McAULEY.

The Rescue Coordination Centre of NZ is in a meeting now .. to review the search for
Mr McAULEY off the coast of the South Island.

The Australian adventurer's upturned kayak was found about 75 kilometres off Milford
Sound on Saturday.

He was due to arrive at Milford Sound yesterday .. after a month-long journey to become
the first person to cross the Tasman Sea in a kayak.





Family spokeswoman JEN PEEDOM has told the Seven Network .. the New Zealand rescuers
are doing an amazing job .. but the decision about the search is being made in Wellington.

She says the Australian Consul-General is putting political pressure on authorities
to try to keep the search going.

Ms PEEDOM says Mr McAULEY's family examined the kayak yesterday .. but still doesn't
understand what happened after he'd come through heavy waves and ridiculous weather ..

to relative calm as he neared the shore.

She says it appears he was hit by a wave and was separated from his boat.

AAP RTV nr/jmt

KEYWORD: NZ KAYAK (SYDNEY)

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