A man and his son are dead, while another son survived after a night boating trip turned to tragedy on Lake Taupo.
The three were heading back to Tokaanu at the southern end of Lake Taupo when their small aluminium dinghy sank about midnight.
The father and one son drowned while the survivor was found on the shore about 9.30am today -- nine hours after the capsize.Police did not yet know why the small aluminium boat sank, Senior Constable Barry Shepherd said.
The father, who was in his 50s, was from the Coromandel. Both of his sons were adult.
Police did not know if the three were wearing lifejackets, Mr Shepherd said.
The survivor, who was found by a boatie, was "very cold" when an ambulance arrived.
He was treated by paramedics but did not need to go to hospital.
Members of the public had reported a boat in difficulties on the lake, police said.
"They were returning to the Tokaanu ramp and for some reason their boat has sunk," Mr Shepherd said
He said police were interviewing the survivor.
The capsized boat could not be found in spite of a search by the Lion Foundation Rescue helicopter and the Turangi Coastguard, whose crew recovered the bodies.
