Winds are expected to hamper trans-Tasman kayaker Scott Donaldson’s progress as he closes in on New Zealand.

Mr Donaldson hopes to arrive in New Plymouth on Monday, three months after he departed Australia.

On Saturday morning, he was 67 nautical miles off the Taranaki coast, helicopter pilot John Funnell says.

“It is now looking like a possible Monday arrival into New Plymouth, however forecast east (offshore) winds late Sunday and Monday will likely delay Scott’s arrival into port Taranaki.”

There was a scare over Mr Donaldson’s location on Friday after no position reports were received.

Mr Funnell headed out on an air search but returned minutes later after discovering Mr Donaldson had texted his position to his weatherman at 7am on Friday.

The kayaker changed the batteries in his spot transmitter, which was working again, Mr Funnell said.

Mr Donaldson is determined to see his wife Sarah and son, after three months at sea.

He left Coffs Harbour in NSW in mid April and hit trouble last month 300 nautical miles west of New Plymouth, running out of food and water.

Mr Funnell made emergency supply air drops to Mr Donaldson.

It is his second attempt to cross the Tasman after technical difficulties forced him to turn back last year.