Two people have died in separate crashes overnight, taking the Christmas-New Year road toll to five.
A truck driver has died at the scene of a crash on Lewis Pass Road, in the Lewis Pass.
The single vehicle crash, involving a truck and trailer, was reported to police just after 3.30am.
Lewis Pass remains closed and diversions are in place in the area.
UPDATE 7:55AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) December 25, 2021
SH7 Lewis Pass will remain CLOSED for several hours, while SCU investigates this truck roll. Please continue to avoid the area and delay your journey if possible. This post will next be updated by midday or earlier if conditions change. ^AP https://t.co/fq90kCQ7gw
A person is dead after being struck by a vehicle in Auckland last night.
Police say the person was hit on Rosamund Avenue, New Windsor, just before 10.30pm.
The victim died at the scene.
Both crashes are being investigated.
Two other people died in Christmas Day crashes.
The driver of a car died at the scene of a crash on the SH1/Taieri Plains Highway, Waihola, in Otago.
Another person died following a crash involving a motorcycle at the intersection of Broadley Downs and Gordonton Road, Gordonton, in Waikato.
The motorcyclist died at the scene.
On Christmas Eve, one person died in a two-car crash south of Taupō.
Police are urging motorists to drive with a focus on safety.
Assistant Commissioner Bruce O'Brien said while it was too early to determine exactly why these crashes happened, "previous experience suggests speed, poor decision making, distractions and no restraints are likely to feature".
"This has been an incredibly tragic start to the holiday period on our roads and a number of families will never be the same.
"Please keep calm and be patient on the road, and accept there will be some delays on your journey."
O'Brien said police will continue to have a visible presence on our roads this summer.
"But we cannot be everywhere and ultimately drivers have the responsibility to keep their passengers, other road users, and themselves safe this holiday period."
