Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Police are warning people to drive carefully this holiday season after four people have died on the roads in the past 24 hours.
Two people died following a two vehicle crash on State Highway 1 in Canterbury near Greta Valley.
They were called to the crash at 7.15pm.
SH1 has since reopened, but police are continuing to investigate.
Separately, one person died in a single vehicle crash in Albury, Mackenzie.
Police were called to Cave-Albury Road at 9.20pm Thursday.
Investigations are continuing into that crash also.
It comes after 12 people remain in hospital after a fatal crash on SH6 near Queenstown earlier on Thursday.
One person was killed in the crash that involved a bus.
Senior sergeant Sam Oram told Midday Report's Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira multiple people were also injured in the Kingston crash.
As it had been referred to the Coroner, he was not able to comment on specifics.
The spate of accidents in the past 24 hours was a reminder for travellers to arrive safely at their destination this summer.
Police would have a "highly co-ordinated and visible presence" on New Zealand roads over the Christmas break, Oram said.
"Our message is expect to be stopped - anytime, anywhere. We want people to drive safe, drive rested, and distraction-free, and get to where you're going safely this holiday period."
Oram was not able to comment on whether the Queenstown Lakes region was not more dangerous than any other, but said as a holiday destination there would be more vehicles on its roads.
A Te Whatu Ora spokesperson said 17 people were transported to hospitals across the district. Most have since been discharged but five remained in hospital as of Friday.
Southland MP Joseph Mooney praised emergency services for their work, saying it would have been a tough scene for police, paramedics and firefighters.
He said it happened on a busy stretch of road.
"It's an incrediably busy road, it's the main route from Queenstown to Milford Sound, so it has a phenomenal number of buses and rental cars on it everday, as well as people who commute between Kingston, Port of Southland and Queenstown.
"It's a very busy piece of road, and a very scenic piece of road, but unfortunately, it was a tragic piece of road yesterday."
Mooney said it was too soon to know what had caused the crash, but it was a good reminder to drivers to slow down, pay attention, and stay on their side of the road.
"I'm not saying that's what's happened here, but there have been incidents in the past where people have gotten a bit frustrated and overtaken a little hastily."
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers extended condolences on behalf of the community to those affected by the Kingston crash.
He thanked volunteer first responders, police, medical staff and locals who assisted at the scene.
Mayor Lewers said it was a timely reminder to take care on the roads, especially during the busy holiday period.
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