Man dies while kayaking in Ruakākā estuary

Thursday 14 August 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Thu 14 Aug 2025, 4:40pm

Matthew Taylor, 29, died on Monday after taking a kayak out on the Ruakākā estuary in Northland. Members of the local surf lifesaving club found his body a few hours after his upturned kayak was discovered. He leaves behind a partner and three young children.

How they headlined it

2:31pm4:10pm

1. StuffThu 14 Aug 2025, 2:31pm

   Young father-of-three dies in Ruakākā kayaking incident (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldThu 14 Aug 2025, 2:36pm

   Father of three Matthew Taylor dies in Ruakākā kayaking tragedy (opens in new tab)

3. RNZThu 14 Aug 2025, 4:10pm

   Father of three Matthew Taylor identified as man who died kayaking in Northland (opens in new tab)

4. Otago Daily TimesThu 14 Aug 2025, 4:40pm

   Man who died kayaking was father of three (opens in new tab)