Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen
One person had died and a further two are seriously injured following a two-vehicle crash on State Highway One in Northland.
Police said emergency services were responding to a "serious crash" near Mata, south of Whangārei that had been reported at 7.10pm on Friday.
An initial statement said at least one person was seriously injured.
A second statement confirmed a person had died and two others were injured - one critically and another seriously.
Both injured people have been taken to Whangārei Hospital.
"State Highway One is expected to remain closed for several hours," police said.
"Southbound traffic is being diverted at Springfield Road, and northbound traffic at Salmon Road."