One person is dead and five have been injured after a crash involving three cars and a truck on State Highway 5 north of Rotorua.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
A police spokesperson said the crash happened at 11.45am at Turakenga, on the western side of Lake Rotorua.
An occupant of one of the cars died at the scene.
One other person has suffered serious injuries, one has moderate injuries and three have minor injuries.
Police have closed the road in both directions and warned drivers to avoid the area, saying the road is likely to be closed for some time.
Traffic heading into to Rotorua is being diverted via Turakenga Road and traffic heading towards Hamilton is being diverted onto Dansey Road and then Turakenga Road.
Twelve people have died on the nation's roads this holiday period, which ended this morning.
The official holiday road toll period ended at 6am today, having started on Christmas Eve, but police continued to stress the need for care on the roads.
