Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The Easter holiday road toll has risen to four after a person was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Mangakino on Easter Monday.
Two others were seriously injured in the crash on Waipapa Road in the Waikato town of Mangakino just after 4pm.
The road remains closed and police want motorists to avoid the area.
Earlier this afternoon, the toll increased to three after a two-car crash in central Taranaki.
Police say emergency services were alerted at 2.30pm to the crash on State Highway 3. It occurred on Wharekauri Road and Mangamaio Road.
One person was killed, two people suffered serious injuries and two others have moderate injuries, a police spokesperson said.
The road is closed and motorists are asked to take alternative routes where possible.
The NZ Transport Agency said via X the Serious Crash Unit was attending and its investigation might take several hours.
SERIOUS CRASH - UPDATE 3:20PM
— NZ Transport Agency - Central North Island (@nztacni) April 21, 2025
The road is now CLOSED between Mangamaio Rd and Pukeruhe Rd due to a serious crash. SCU will be attending the scene and their investigations can take several hours. Continue to follow emergency services on-site or delay your journey. ^EH https://t.co/D4WVno2ChI pic.twitter.com/kfVTUDW5R4
The official holiday period runs through until 6am on Tuesday.
The first Easter road victim died at the scene of a single vehicle crash on State Highway 12 in Ruawai in Northland on Good Friday.
In the second incident, one person died in a crash involving a car and cyclist at Haumoana in Hawke's Bay on Saturday morning.
Last year, seven people died on the roads over the same long weekend, up from only one in 2023.
This weekend has been marked by high winds and heavy rain brought by ex-tropical cyclone Tam, with Civil Defence authorities warning drivers to take extra care.
MetService is forecasting the bad weather to ease from here on.
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