A missing kayaker rescued from the waters near Thames is being deemed a 'lucky guy” after his kayak capsized.

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Te Mata around 10pm, to search for a man who was overdue from a kayak fishing trip.

The Coastguard also assisted in the search.

'The crew conducted an extensive search of the area around Waikawau on the West Coast of the Coromandel and at around 10.40pm were advised that a person was attempting to get their attention from the shoreline,” says a spokesperson for the rescue chopper.

'The helicopter landed at Kereta and uplifted the man, in his 40s, who was the missing kayaker.”

His kayak had capsized at around 3pm and he had used his partially submerged kayak to swim/paddle to shore.

'Unfortunately his mobile phone had become waterlogged, despite being in a waterproof pouch. He was not wearing a wetsuit.

'On crew's arrival, the man was hypothermic, obviously distressed and extremely fatigued. A bystander had come across him and attempted to turn a torch on and off to get emergency services' attention.

The crew flew the patient to Thames Hospital in a moderate condition.