Two people have been seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash near Tauranga.
Police say the crash occurred at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Wairoa Road, at about 4pm.
One person sustained moderate injuries and another minor.
State Highway 2 is blocked just west of the Wairoa Bridge.
Police said diversions were in place but motorists should avoid the area or expect significant delays.
Earlier, a motorcyclist died in a crash about 4.30am today, at Tauriko near Tauranga.
The road was closed for several hours while the Serious Crash Unit investigated.
In another incident, police said two cars crashed, with one car going down a bank on State Highway 2 north-west of Tauranga at 1.45pm.
One person is believed to have been seriously injured.
A rescue helicopter was called to the scene. The highway was closed and diversions were put in place.