A fatal crash just moments into the holiday road period is a terrible start to Labour Weekend, police say.
The passenger of a car died after it crossed the centre line at Dairy Flat north of Auckland and hit a light truck this afternoon. The car's driver has been taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Emergency services were called just before 4.30pm, less than half an hour after the holiday road period began.
Inspector Mark Fergus said it is too early to say why the car crossed the centre line. He said the light truck was carrying a digger and rolled, and its driver was shaken but not hurt.
"It's a terrible start - but it's not about the numbers, it's about the people involved - and right now there is a family facing the reality of that and they have lost a loved one," he said.
"Our message to drivers is the same as we enter the holiday weekend: slow down, make sure drivers are driving refreshed, wear your seatbelt and let us try to get everyone safely to their destination."
Last year, one person was killed at Labour Weekend, the lowest since records began, but 111 people were injured, including 20 seriously, according to figures from Ministry of Transport.
The holiday road period started today at 4pm and ends on Tuesday at 6am.
Police cracking down
Police are enforcing a 4km/h speed tolerance this holiday Labour weekend and every person stopped by police will be automatically breath-tested.
Every person stopped will also be breath-tested and police will also be enforcing the wearing of seatbelts.
