Two people have now died after a crash near Tauranga.
Police said one person died at the scene and another died in hospital after the crash on State Highway 29A about 4pm.
Several others were seriously injured
The police said it appeared the crash involved five vehicles and happened after a car broke down.
The westbound lanes were expected to remain closed until at least 9pm while the serious crash unit investigated.
Three other crashes in the region this afternoon included a car hitting a tree and two vehicles colliding and bringing down power lines.
