Three people have died on the roads this morning in Tararua and Wairarapa.
Two people have died in a crash on State Highway 2 near Papatawa after a crash about 5.50am, police said.
A third person also suffered injuries.
State Highway 2 was closed after the crash and has since reopened.
Minutes after that crash, another person died in a crash on Millars Road southeast of Carterton, police said.
The road was expected to be closed for some time.
The serious crash unit was at both scenes.