Taupō crash victims named

5:42 pm on 12 October 2017

Police have released the names of all four people who died in a head-on smash just north of Taupō on Tuesday.

Eight other people, including a 10-month-old boy, were injured in the two-car collision, which closed State Highway 1 for hours.

The three people killed in one car were five-year-old Hone Hawkins-Kanuta, 60-year-old Leighton Ahuriri and 56-year-old Helena Paul.

Pesi Oliveti, 44, known as Pesi Tuivai, was killed in the other car and seven people travelling with her were injured.

Police said the crash investigation is continuing and would take some time, but officers believe neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the crash.

Victim Support was available to witnesses and people who assisted at the crash scene, as well as those directly involved in the crash, they said.

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