File photo. Photo: 123RF
The holiday road toll has moved to 10 after a person was killed in a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 69 in Inangahua in Buller last night.
Emergency services were called to the crash at about 1am, and police said the person died in the crash.
The road would remain closed for some time this morning, and motorists were being asked to avoid the area.
Up north, State Highway 1 north of Whangārei, has reopened following a two-car crash earlier this morning.
The accident, at Kauri, blocked the southbound lane at about 8.30am and led to significant delays.
One person was taken to hospital.
The crash occurred as large numbers of people head north for New Year's festivities in the Bay of Islands and a music festival near Mangawhai.
This follows a death yesterday after a crash on State Highway 29 in Lower Kamai between a truck and car.
The crash which happened around midday and also left two others injured, resulted in a lengthy detour for people travelling between Hamilton and Tauranga before the highway was reopened.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed that Brayden Tawa, 27, from Papamoa, was the man who died following a fatal crash at Mount Maunganui on 27 December.
Emergency services were notified of the crash at 10.17pm at the intersection of Aerodrome Road and Hewletts Road.
Police said an investigation into the cause of the crash remained ongoing.