The 24-year-old, who has been paddling from Tauranga for the past six weeks, on a 5500km journey around the coast which is expected to take up to six months, arrived at Port Chalmers yesterday.
He was sleeping at his campsite at All Day Bay, south of Kakanui, on Saturday night when thieves stole his spot tracking device, his helmet with Go-pro camera mounted on it, and his paddling clothes - which included dirty, wet underwear.
Since then, Oamaru and Dunedin residents have tried to make up for his negative experience.
"There's been people offering donations of money to help me on my travels - especially in Oamaru.
"I think they feel a little guilty this happened in their back yard.
"But there's been no offers for new clean underwear yet," he joked.
Mr Taylor said a couple of Dunedin outdoor stores had donated cold-weather clothing and his sponsors had also been very supportive, and had couriered a replacement spot-tracking device and a camera to Dunedin, where they were due to arrive today.
"It's great people are offering donations, but it's embarrassing how much they are giving.
"I don't need the money.
"The biggest loss in this has been the photos on my camera.
"The marine life and scenery shots I took are the only record I have of my trip so far.
"They're priceless."
Despite the theft, Mr Taylor said his visit to All Day Bay had provided one of the highlights of his trip.
When paddling into the bay, the weather was extremely rough and he said it was difficult to navigate through the large waves to get ashore.
"All of a sudden, a couple of Hector's dolphins popped up.
"Normally, they check you out and then head off again.
"But these guys stayed with me right up to the shoreline.
"It was like they were looking out for me."
Mr Taylor was scheduled to arrive at St Clair beach in Dunedin yesterday afternoon, but due to poor visibility, he decided to stop in Port Chalmers instead.
Today is a scheduled rest day, and after sorting out food for his next leg and cleaning some of his equipment, he hoped to see some of Dunedin's tourist attractions.
Mr Taylor said he was looking forward to continuing his journey south, past the Catlins, around Stewart Island and up the West Coast.
However, inclement weather may keep him in Dunedin for a few extra days, he said.
