(File photo) Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
At least 15 people have been injured after a bus carrying Tongan workers rolled, at Broadlands, between Rotorua and Taupō.
Police said the bus was the only vehicle involved in the crash, which happened at the Broadlands Road and Allen Road intersection, just before 7.30am on Sunday.
By 10am, at least 10 of the 15 injured had been airlifted to hospital, including three with serious injuries and two with moderate injuries.
Five other people who were airlifted had minor injuries, police said in a statement.
Immigration New Zealand's Pacific manager Mike Sorensen said the bus had been carrying 30 RSE workers from the Pacific, who are taking part in the Recognised Seasonal Employer programme.
"We can confirm that the accident involved ... workers who had arrived in New Zealand earlier this morning and were travelling to Hawke's Bay to start work with their employer, Mr Apple," he said.
"We understand 13 of the workers were taken to various hospitals, and some of them are expected to be discharged later today [Sunday], and transported to Hawke's Bay."
Another 17 of those from the bus had carried on to Hawke's Bay after the crash.
Gary Jones from Mr Apple - the company employing the men - said following the crash, a total of 21 of the workers were now expected to reach Hawke's Bay Sunday night
The workers would be met by staff with a warm meal prepared, a physiotherapist was also at the site to help on Sunday.
"We are getting some support around that group when they arrive, and we'll make sure tomorrow also we've got District Health and Pacific Health and counsellors also coming to check on them - so we'll do everything we can to look after those boys," Jones said.
Sorenson said Immigration New Zealand would continue to provide assistance and support to those involved.
The road was expected to be closed for some time, but police said diversions were in place at Ohaaki Road and Vaile Road.
This crash was the second serious crash involving RSE workers in just three months. Three workers were killed on State Highway One south of Auckland in August.