Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen
Police have confirmed the death of four people on the roads overnight that involved two separate crashes.
The latest fatalities bring the provisional road toll for the Christmas holiday period to eight.
Police said two people died in a single vehicle crash on Evans St in Timaru yesterday evening.
Emergency services were notified of the crash about 7.45pm and the victims died at the scene.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
A further two people died as a result of a crash in Marlborough yesterday evening.
Police said they were notified of the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 63 in the Wairau Valley, west of Blenheim, shortly after 6pm.
One person died at the scene, and another died a few hours later.
This morning one person was seriously injured in Hamilton when a truck and car collided. The crash was reported about 7am.
Ruakura Road was closed near the Wairere Drive intersection while emergency services and Serious Crash Unit attended.
Roads involving the fatal crashes have now reopened.
Appeal for information after head-on crash
Meanwhile, police are appealing for witnesses after two vehicles collided head-on on state highway 30 near Hauparu Bay at Lake Rotoiti yesterday.
The incident happened about about 4.45pm.
Four people were seriously injured. Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Anaru said it could have been prevented in many ways and appealed for information.
The cause and factors are being probed by the Serious Crash Unit.
"Police would like to hear from anyone who observed the collision or witnessed unsafe driving," he said.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to call 105, and quote event number: P053115505 or you can give information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.