The kayaker found dead on the Kaituna River near Rotorua had competed at international white water kayaking events.

She was 26 year old Louise Jull, a teacher at Western Heights High School.

Police and rafters searching the river retrieved her body at 10am.

A full search of the river was launched after two kayakers raised the alarm at seven o'clock last night.

Her parents Adrian and Liz Jull and siblings say she was a white water and extreme kayaker of international reputation.

They says one of her legacies will be the pleasure she took in teaching young kayakers.