Public help rescue capsized kayakers

File photo / Thinkstock

A father and son who capsized while kayaking on the Waikato river have been rescued after members of the public raised the alarm.

Police say they were called shortly after 3pm when members of the public riding along Maungatautari Rd, near Cambridge, heard cries for help.

Waikato Shift Supervisor senior sergeant Dave Litton said members of the public heard these calls coming from the Waikato River quite a distance below the road.

"These people have done everything right, stopping to investigate and try to offer help, before calling police," he said.

The passersby couldn't reach the stranded pair because of their location, he said.

Police arrived shortly afterwards and found the father and son on the Waikato river shore line north of Cambridge in an inaccessible location.

The Waikato River Harbour master was called from Hamilton to assist and rescued both men along with their Canadian kayak.

Mr Litton said the men were wearing life jackets and although cold and wet they were uninjured.

He said they wished to thank the members of the public who stopped to help.