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A person has died and two others were injured following a car crash that closed a highway in Lower Kaimai today.
The police say that one of those injured is in a critical condition.
The crash around midday on State Highway 29 between a truck and a car had earlier blocked the road, and resulted in a lengthy detour for people travelling between Hamilton and Tauranga.
State Highway 29 has now reopened.
The Christmas-New Year holiday road toll now stands at nine.
Another person died after a serious crash in Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty on Wednesday night.
Police said emergency services were notified of the crash at 10.17pm at the intersection of Aerodrome Road and Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui.
A second person was taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
Police said inquiries were ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.