Four people are dead and another eight, including a baby, have been injured in a two-car crash in Taupō.
Four emergency helicopters were dispatched to the scene of the crash Photo: Supplied / Philips Search & Rescue Trust
Police said the two cars collided at about 3.15pm at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Tutukau Rd - near the popular Orakei Korako geothermal area.
Two of the injured people are in critical condition and the others are in a serious condition or have moderate injuries.
Four rescue helicopters have taken the injured to Waikato and Rotorua hospitals.
Philips Search and Rescue Trust said those injured included a 10-month-old baby, a man in his forties with multiple injuries, and a 42-year-old woman with chest and abdominal injuries.
Emergency services at the crash site north of Taupō Photo: Supplied / Philips Search & Rescue Trust
Taupō district mayor David Trewavas said some earlier rain had cleared up but the roads were very busy due to the school holidays.
The crash happened near a passing lane where other crashes had happened in the past, he said.
The occupants of both vehicles were believed to be New Zealanders, he said.
State Highway 1 has now reopened.
A baby was among injured passengers transported to hospital by rescue helicopter Photo: Supplied / Philips Search & Rescue Trust